Telecom/1996-04-telecom-walnutcreek.iso/back.issues/1994.volume.14/vol14.iss451-481

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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
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To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #451

TELECOM Digest     Thu, 15 Dec 94 15:01:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 451

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    RACE Mobile Telecommunications Summit Announcement ([e-mail])
    Telecom in Africa (Omar Jennings)
    T3 Framing Standard (Lew Gutman)
    Request For MTA, BTA Map (Eric Valentine)
    Re: ISDN on DEC Alpha Computers (Konrad Weigl)
    Re: GSM Buying (and Using!) Abroad / Nokia 2110 Question (Konrad Weigl)
    They Hacked Me! !@#$%^%^$ ([e-mail])
    X.25 Card and C Library For PC ([e-mail])
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Dik Winter)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Clive D.W. Feather)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Steve McKinty)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Erling Kristiansen)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Peter Knoppers)
    Re: Emergency Numbers In Various Countries (Graham Sistemi Sas)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Jan Joris Vereijken)
    Re: Cellular Roaming in NYC Suspended (Mark Silbernagel)
    Re: Freakers and Fraudulent Billing on "Chat" Lines (David Leibold)
    Re: Buffalo NY Crack Down on Pay Phones (Ray Normandeau)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available at no charge to qualified organizations
and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify:

                 * [e-mail] *

The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
or phone at:
                    9457-D Niles Center Road
                     Skokie, IL USA   60076
                       Phone: [phone]
                        Fax: [phone]
  ** Article submission address only: [e-mail] **

Our archives are located at lcs.mit.edu and are available by using
anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email
information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to
use the information service, just ask.

*************************************************************************
*   TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the              *
* International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland    *
* under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES)   *
* project.  Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-*
* ing views of the ITU.                                                 *
*************************************************************************

Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such
as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help
is important and appreciated.

All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 15 Dec 1994 12:52:07 CET
Reply-To: [e-mail]
From: [e-mail]
Subject: RACE Mobile Telecommunications Summit Announcement


RACE Mobile Telecommunications Summit

Cascais, Portugal
November 22nd-24th, 1995
Invitation and Call for Papers

Objectives and scope:

A new generation of mobile communication systems has b een under
development, for a number of years, in the framework of the RACE
Programme, with the aim to support over seamless radio infrastructures,
not only the diverse service offerings of second generation systems
(GSM, DCS-1800, et c.), but also a much wider range of wireless
broadband services comm ensurate with the technological developments
taking place in fixed telecommunications networks.

The RACE Programme now coming to an end, will be followed by the ACTS
Programme, which will provide a unique opportunity to ref lect and
adapt to new conditions and requirements. In particular a key role
will be given to aspects such as system integration, service integra-
tion and demonstration of advanced services while maintaining close
links with Trans-European Network developments.

In the above context the objective of this Conference is to provide a
major forum for the dissemination of the results of the RACE Programme
on third generation mobile communications.

During the first morning of the conference there will be a plenary
session which will centre on future mobile communications: a.o.
market aspects, research and development worldwide, and pro gress in
standardisation, followed by an afternoon session with overview pr
esentations of the RACE Mobile/Personal Communications projects.

The remaining two days will consist of workshops with presentations
and discussions on a wide range of technical issues.

Programme Committee:

B. Arroyo, European Commission
A. Fernandez-Duran, Alcatel Sesa
J. Bach Andersen, University of Aalborg
D. Lappe, Robert Bosch GmbH
E. Buitenwerf, PTT Research
M. Mazzella, Alcatel Espace
J. da Silva, European Commission
D. McFarlane, British Telecom
C. Evci, Alcatel Mobile Communication France
A. Samukic, RACE Industrial Consortium
B. Fernandes, Siemens AG
B. Swain, Rapporteur RACE Mobile Project Line
L. Fernandes, CPR Marconi
A. Timm, University of Bremen

Call for papers:

Papers are expected mainly from Projects and Organisations funded by
the CEC, i.e. RACE, COST, ETSI and related bodies. Authors are invited
to submit original papers on all aspects related to UMTS and MBS,
including:

Evolution & Migration.

Spectrum
Standards
Regulatory
Market & commercial
Service migration (customer)
Technological developments (i.e. network aspects, manufacturers)

Radio and System Aspects.

Propagation
Access techniques
Cell structures
Architecture
Radio resource management
Intelligent base station
Environmental issues

Network Aspects

Network architecture
Mobility Management
Satellite integration scenarios
Security aspects
Interface & protocols
Call control
Service creation
Charging and accounting management

Technology and Components

Antennas
Macro diversity
Intelligent terminals
Millimetre wave components
Radio integration
Multi-mode terminals
Speech and video codecs

Services and Applications

User requirements
Broadband services
Multi-environment services
Fixed and mobile service integration
Quality and grade-of-service
Mobile applications

Test beds

Simulation and channel modelling
Hardware
Field trials

Abstracts of papers (up to 500 words) should be sent to the following
address before 3rd April 1995:

CPR MARCONI, Attn. Mr. Carlos Santo Silva, Applied Research Division
Av. Alvaro Pais, 2, 1699 Lisboa, Portugal
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

A notification of acceptance will be sent to you before 2nd May 1995.
Camera ready papers should be sent to the above address before 16th
June 1995.

Fee and payment:

The fee for the three days' conference of 55000 PTE (Portuguese
Escudos) includes: conference registration, lunches, social event in
the evening of 23rd November and conference proceedings.

Payments can be made either by bank transfer or by credit card.
Registration fees should be paid in Portuguese Escudos. A reservation
can only be confirmed when full payment is received. For payments by
credit card see the registration form below.

Bank transfers:

Bank name:  Banco National de Paris (BNP)
Address: Av. 5 de Outubro, 206, 1000 Lisboa
Account number (NIB): 0034-0109-00120410154-44

In case of a bank transfer, please indicate the name of the conference
('RACE Mobile'), the delegate name and your company name.

Hotel accommodation and travel:

The costs of hotel accommodation and travel are not included in the
conference fee However, a number of block booking reservations have
been made. Details of these hotels will be sent to you after receipt
of your registration.

Registration form:

To be sent to:
CPR MARCONI, Mrs.Emilia Pereira, Applied Research Division
Av. Alvaro Pais, 2, 1699 Lisboa, Portugal
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

Mr/Ms. .................Forename.......................Surname
Title.........................................................
Name of company...............................................
Department....................................................
Address.......................................................
..............................................................

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

Date: Thu, 15 Dec 94 10:14:38 PST
From: Jennings <[e-mail]>
Subject: Telecom in Africa


Anyone doing telecom in Africa?  Where / what is the definitive
authority on telecom matters in Africa? Could anyone give a specific
reference? What I mean is where are the switches, what kind are
they, how much microwave / satellite traffic is there. Is there any
innovative approaches being taken ... fixed cellular (maby 150 MHz) for
the last mile ... solar powered, helicopter dropped terminals ... would
be very interested in discussing these with anyone else interested in
these kinds of things in Africa or elsewhere.


Omar Jennings
[e-mail]-voice:301.869.7969-FAX:[phone]

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

From: Lew Gutman <[e-mail]>
Subject: T3 Framing Standard
Organization: NCCOSC RDT&E Division, San Diego, CA
Date: Thu, 15 Dec 1994 15:20:08 GMT


I'm looking for the standard which defines the frame structure of a T3
carrier.  I tried to order ANSI T1.103-1987 and T1.103a-1990 from
ANSI, but they told me that these standards have been removed and
there is no replacement.


Thanks in advance.

Lew Gutman   <[e-mail]>

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

From: [e-mail] (Eric Valentine)
Subject: Request For MTA, BTA Map
Date: 15 Dec 1994 14:02:47 GMT
Organization: Ericsson North America Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Can anyone give me a pointer to the map showing the MTAs and BTAs
whose frequencies are being auctioned off in the "broadband" PCS
auctions? I've looked under fcc.gov and couldn't find it, although
I was never clear what the file naming convention was. Any help
is appreciated, post or e-mail.


Eric Valentine

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: ISDN on DEC Alpha Computers
Date: 15 Dec 1994 19:56:33 GMT
Organization: INRIA, Sophia-Antipolis (Fr)


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Dale Farmer)
writes:

> Today I was building a DEC Alpha workstation for a customer and
> noticed on the back a little jack labeled ISDN, and packaged with it
> was a cheapie Plantronics headset that plugs into the headset jack
> right next to the ISDN jack.  Haven't had a chance to look at the
> relevent portion of the manual yet, but it seems to have ISDN built
> right into the motherboard of the thing.  Methinks DEC may be
> getting a little optomistic about how widespread ISDN availability is,
> or is there some deadline coming up that I haven't heard about?

Ahem ...

There is this little appendage to Asia, called Europe.  We do have
ISDN right here, all the way to your doorstep.

I did some consulting for a small outfit down here, they linked their
two lans (Sophia Antipolis near Nice and Toulouse, roughly 200 mls)
(Lans UNIX-based, with xterm and everything) via ISDN.

Reaction time was not noticeable.


Konrad Weigl     INRIA B.P. 93
F-06902 Sophia Antipolis Cedex
France

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

From: [e-mail] (Konrad Weigl)
Subject: Re: GSM Buying (and Using!) Abroad / Nokia 2110 Question
Date: 15 Dec 1994 20:06:51 GMT
Organization: INRIA, Sophia-Antipolis (Fr)


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Ian
N.G.  Anema) writes:

> Now, my basic question is: can I buy this telephone in (let's say)
> Singapore or USA (without a subscription) and buy a loose
> GSM-subscription in Holland and use it?

Any GSM phone should work anywhere, if the local SIM card is used, or
if roaming is enabled for that country.

I am using a Motorola 3200 bought in Germany in France with a SIM card
from France Telecom and it works perfectly, even automatic forward to
any country in Europe I happen to be in.  (I have tried Great Britain
and Germany) I still have to choose the network by hand whenever I
travel, though.

However, ETSI (European Telecommunication Standards Institute) here in
Sophia Antipolis should be able to give an authoritative answer; after
all, they created the standard.

ETSI

Tel. + 33 92 94 42 00
Fax. + 33 93 65 47 16

ETSI
Route des Lucioles
F-06560 Sophia Antipolis
France

I do not know if GSM phones in Hong Kong have Chinese characters,
however.   :)


Konrad Weigl     INRIA B.P. 93
F-06902 Sophia Antipolis Cedex
France

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: They Hacked Me! !@#$%^%^$
Date: 15 Dec 94 15:09:28 EST
Organization: Rowan College of New Jersey, Glassboro, NJ 08028


I don't believe it - they hacked me?

I have a ROLM 9751 and phonemail.  I have all of the DID classes of
service low, transfer tables and all of the other standard stuff.  My
question is, EXACTLY how do you go through phonemail to get an outside
line.  I tried every conceivable combination of transfers in and out
several times and I could never get through?  If I know hew they are
doing it I could plug it.

Luckily, they spend most of their time trying to get through and
little time on my T-1.  The callers were using stolen calling cards
from NYC payphones to call an extension in my switch that since there
was no answer went into phonemail.  (Thanks AT&T for the clue -- they
called me to tell me this after about ten hours of activity) I can't
figure this out?  Any 'hackers' out there?


John Castaldi   Rowan College of New Jersey   609-256-4414


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: You seem so surprised by this. Listen,
those guys would hack and phreak their own mothers if they got the
urge, and if the phone system was of the type they knew it would not
be traced back to them. They have no loyalty, not even among themselves.
Let one of them get caught and he will snitch on all the others he
knows to save his own skin.

Many/most voicemail systems have a transfer option built in where calls
unanswered go to voicemail and when in voicemail the caller can transfer
right back out to a live person if 'you need to speak to someone right
away, press xxxx' ... sounds to me like on at least that one extension
you have a hole where the person who transfers out can get an outside
line. That should never be allowed. Another thing that might have happened
was they found out the admin's passcode and made some unathorized changes
to that particular mailbox/phone extension. Sometimes they will go in
on the admin code, change the admin code itself then do their dirty work
and change the admin code back to whatever it was to start with.   PAT]

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

From: impact <[e-mail]>
Subject: X.25 Card and C Library For PC
Date: 15 Dec 1994 20:29:18 GMT
Organization: CompuTech


Hello all, I've been asked to find information about X.25 network
cards, and a C library that will work in a MS-DOS environment.  We are
currently using Western Digital X.25 cards, but are unable (I'm told)
to get tech support for the hardware.

I've seen two company web pages that sell the X.25 cards for UNIX
boxes, but have not run accross anything that is PC based.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.


Katherine Gooding    ITC Teleservices    Spokane, WA

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

Date: Thu, 15 Dec 1994 01:16:19 +0100
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries


Yves Blondeel <[e-mail]>:

> Article 2 of the Decision states that:

> The single European emergency call number shall be introduced by
> 31 December 1992 at the latest, except... (exceptions to be justified)

> Note: if exceptions are used, the new date must be no later than
> 31 December 1996.

The Dutch PTT will probably succeed meeting the second deadline.
Currently the emergency number is 0611; 112 can not yet be implemented
because there are many local numbers that start with 112.  In October
1995 most telephone numbers in the Netherlands will change; one of the
reason is the ability to implement 112.  However, for at least one
half year the old numbers will still be valid.  So the earliest
possible implementation of 112 is about April/May 1996.


dik t. winter, cwi, kruislaan 413, 1098 sj  amsterdam, nederland, [phone]
home: bovenover 215, 1025 jn  amsterdam, nederland; e-mail: [e-mail]

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

Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Date: Thu, 15 Dec 1994 12:53:13 GMT
From: Clive D.W. Feather <[e-mail]>


Quoth Kimmo Ketolainen:

>     Great Britain and N.Ireland 112

That should read:

      United Kingdom            112 and 999 (equivalent)


Clive D.W. Feather      Santa Cruz Operation
[e-mail]           Croxley Centre
Phone: [phone]  Hatters Lane, Watford
Fax:   [phone]  WD1 8YN, United Kingdom

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve McKinty - SunSoft ICNC Grenoble)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Date: 15 Dec 1994 08:52:21 GMT
Organization: SunConnect


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
(Kimmo Ketolainen) writes:

> Do you have any other to add, Pat? Some of these have been extremely
> hard to find, because people in many countries have not known what to
> do in case of emergency ... and thus don't know the number at all.

112 has been officially adopted as a Europe-wide emergency number, but
I'm not sure how widespread its implementation is yet.

>     France            112

I think 112 now works, but most phones and phone books I've seen
still list 15 (Ambulance) 17 (Police) and 18 (Fire). France Telecom
have not sent out any notification of a change to its customers.

>     Great Britain and N.Ireland 112

As for France, 112 is the new number and will work in the UK, but for
50 years 999 has been the number, and I suspect that if you stop
people in the street and ask, 100% of answers will be '999'.


Steve McKinty   Sun Microsystems ICNC
38240 Meylan, France
email: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Erling Kristiansen)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Date: 15 Dec 1994 08:06:30 GMT
Organization: ESA/Estec/WMS, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
Reply-To: [e-mail]


The emergency number in The Netherlands is not (yet) 112.  The present
number is 0611. 112 is planned some time in the future, I haven't got
the date.  Introducing 112 is a major undertaking because, in most
places, a number starting with a "1" is a local subscriber number. 112
can only be introduced after restructuring the complete numbering
plan.

112, in fact, is the emergency number mandated by the European Union,
but many countries have not introduced it yet due to collisions with
the current numbering plan. So I suspect that some of the other
European countries in your list do not have 112 in operation yet.

As a side remark, I wonder how they came up with 112, which has a very
high rate of conflict with existing numbers. Most EU countries have
"0" as first digit to escape from local call to long distance or
special service.

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

From: [e-mail] (Peter Knoppers)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Date: 15 Dec 1994 17:18:33 GMT
Organization: Delft University of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering


[e-mail] (Kimmo Ketolainen) writes:

>    Netherlands, The        112

WRONG! Currently the number is 0611, the number 112 will be introduced
at some time in the future.  Please fix the list. Errors like this can
be dangerous.


Peter Knopers - [e-mail]

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

Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers In Various Countries
Date: Thu, 15 Dec 94 17:07:28 CET
From: Graham Sistemi Sas <[e-mail]>


In Italy the numbers are:

112     Police (Carabinieri)
115     Fire Dept
116*    Auto Repair (Automobile Club d'Italia, also known as A.C.I.)
118     Ambulance
113     All those services together (the most known and the most used)

*A.C.I is a private organisation and prices are different for
subscriber and other.

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

From: [e-mail] (Jan Joris Vereijken)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Date: 15 Dec 1994 16:24:29 +0100
Organization: Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Jan Joris Vereijken)


Kimmo Ketolainen <[e-mail]> wrote:

>    Netherlands, The        112

*WRONG*

The Netherlands uses 0611 as the universal emergency number.

We will change to 112 in a few years, though...

Hope This Helps(tm),


Jan Joris Vereijken, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands.
Tel: [phone] / 840754   Email: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Mark Silbernagel)
Subject: Re: Cellular Roaming in NYC Suspended
Date: 15 Dec 1994 10:55:57 -0800


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

> Well, Cellular One in Pittsburgh (PA) tried something like this once,
> with international calls.  They sent around a letter to all
> subscribers to tell them that due to an increase in fraud, they would
> no longer be able to dial international calls from their cellular
> phones.  So, I made a polite phone call to their customer service
> number saying that I'd contracted for a service to be able to call
> anywhere I wanted to, and that I wanted my international calling
> restored.  Immediately.  Guess what?  They did it.  Just for my phone,
> not in general.  Has anyone tried this with Cellular One Baltimore and
> their NYC roaming policy?

The same thing was done here in the Portland Oregon area a few years
ago.  Without announcement, all international calling was shut off. If
you needed it, you called customer support and had it turned back on.
Not that big of a deal, except that I recall thinking that it was no
way to treat a paying customer.

So, the default these days is probably *off* until you request
otherwise.

Guess I'll have to try it on my new digital... ;')


Mark
pacifier.com - Vancouver's Public access Internet [phone]
telnet or dial the above and type "new" at the prompt to register

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

From: [e-mail] (woody)
Subject: Re: Freakers and Fraudulent Billing on "Chat" Lines
Date: 15 Dec 1994 07:28:15 -0500
Organization: Internex Online (io.org) Data: 416-363-4151  Voice: 416-363-8676


In article <[e-mail]>, Douglas W. Martin <martin@cod.
nosc.mil> wrote:

> The latest scheme I've heard discussed claims to use third-party
> billing to a defunct exchange.  For example, one group of callers were
> apparently billing calls to (416)465-xxxx where the 465 exchange used
> to be part of metro Toronto and is now only dialable with 905.

There are exchanges that went from 416 to 905, but 465 was not one of
them. 416-465 has long been in the east end of Toronto proper.

> My questions: can calls be thiird-party billed to numbers where
> permissive dialing has expired?  Can a freaker with the right

In Bell Canada land, billing to third number requires an operator
verification of the number to be billed (ie. an acceptance from the
third party). If the permissive period expires, the third party should
likely be undialable.

> The freaker I talked to also mentioned "diverters", which he
> defined to me as numbers that would give a new dial tone such that the
> subsequent call couldn't be traced.  Can it all be that simple if you
> want to defraud a person or phone company?

If a diverter gets enough abuse, one might suppose the chain of calls
through diverters could be traced; that is, trace a-->b, b-->c and
connect the dots ...

And on a side note, calls to 900 or "976" (in-area charge numbers)
cannot be charged to calling cards or called from payphones.


[e-mail]

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

Subject: Re: Buffalo NY Crack Down on Pay Phones
From: [e-mail] (Ray Normandeau)
Date: 15 Dec 94 12:51:00 GMT
Organization: Invention Factory's BBS - New York NY - 212-274-8110
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Ray Normandeau)


> Although I hate to interject here, this choice in limiting payphones
> around housing projects in some ways dovetails recent post office
> decisions to stop mail delivery altogether to residents in certain
> 'high risk' housing projects.  While much talk has been made of
> 'fair/equal access' to be provided with newer telecommunication
> services in the future, my skepticsm grows when I see basic and
> existing services removed.

In New York City I suspect that NYC Housing Authority project drug
dealers would get cloned cellular phones and not bother with
payphones.

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #451
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #452

TELECOM Digest     Mon, 19 Dec 94 00:56:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 452

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Qualcomm & Northern Telecom Announce CDMA Strategic Alliance (J. Ferguson)
    Selling Long-Distance Telephone Packages Door-to-Door (Nigel Allen)
    Downside of Deregulation (Dale Wharton)
    Variable Rate Vocoders (David M. Patterson)
    $495 ISDN Data/Voice "Modem" (Ed Goldgehn)
    Bypass 900 Block? (Steve Brack)
    Businesses, Homes, and CNID (A. Padgett Peterson)
    Wireless Resale Conference ([e-mail])
    Information Needed on Digital Interfaces/Protocols (Pete Kruckenberg)
    DSP Phones For Hearing Impaired Persons (Matthew D. Healy)
    Looking For AIN Training Course (Jim Tremlett)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available at no charge to qualified organizations
and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify:

                 * [e-mail] *

The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
or phone at:
                    9457-D Niles Center Road
                     Skokie, IL USA   60076
                       Phone: [phone]
                        Fax: [phone]
  ** Article submission address only: [e-mail] **

Our archives are located at lcs.mit.edu and are available by using
anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email
information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to
use the information service, just ask.

*************************************************************************
*   TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the              *
* International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland    *
* under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES)   *
* project.  Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-*
* ing views of the ITU.                                                 *
*************************************************************************

Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such
as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help
is important and appreciated.

All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: John C.V. Ferguson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Qualcomm & Northern Telecom Announce CDMA Strategic Alliance
Date: 19 Dec 1994 05:45:43 GMT
Organization: via On-Ramp Technologies, Inc., Dallas, TX


QUALCOMM & Northern Telecom Form Strategic
Alliance for CDMA Cellular and PCS Infrastructure
- Agreement Hastens CDMA Network Availability and Supply -

SAN DIEGO - December 9, 1994 - QUALCOMM Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM)
and Northern Telecom (NYSE:NT) today announced the signing of a series
of definitive agreements for the design, development, manufacture and
sale of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) cellular and personal
communications services (PCS) infrastructure equipment.  The
agreements create an important long-term strategic alliance between
the two companies and help assure the timely availability of CDMA
networks for U.S. PCS and cellular carriers worldwide.

Under the terms of the multi-million dollar agreements, QUALCOMM will
share with Northern Telecom its designs for CDMA infrastructure
products being developed for cellular, PCS and wireless local loop
applications, and the companies will work together to provide fully
integrated CDMA systems.  The CDMA infrastructure products include
various types of base station equipment, base station controller
equipment, network interface and switching equipment.  The system
architecture incorporates a unique design that is optimized for CDMA
applications by taking advantage of ATM-based packet switching in the
base station controller.

Northern Telecom will also manufacture integrated CDMA systems
throughout the world, and will source its requirements for CDMA base
station and base station controller equipment both from its own
factories and from QUALCOMM.  CDMA systems developed under these
agreements are expected to be available for commercial shipments in
the second half of 1995.

"Partnering with wireless telecommunications experts whose technical
and marketing skills complement our own allows us to leverage our
combined resources," said Dr. Irwin Jacobs, chief executive officer of
QUALCOMM.  "This synergistic relationship is part of QUALCOMM's
commitment to work cooperatively with a broad range of industry
licensees to meet worldwide demand for CDMA products and services ."

"CDMA is an important technology to Northern Telecom," said Dave
Twyver, president, Wireless Systems, Northern Telecom.  "Our
partnership with QUALCOMM reinforces our commitment to CDMA and
provides an excellent opportunity to quickly enter the growing CDMA
market and expand our business with current customers while building
relationships with new customers."

Northern Telecom and QUALCOMM will also provide turnkey installation
of CDMA networks, including network and coverage planning services,
cell site commissioning, back-haul equipment installation, customer
training and support.  In addition, the companies will offer network
and subscriber equipment interoperability certification programs,
operator and user interface software customization, and other
value-added products and services.

Northern Telecom is a leading global manufacturer of telecommunications
equipment, providing products and services to telephone companies,
cable television companies, cellular and personal communications
services (PCS) providers, corporations, governments, universities, and
other institutions worldwide. A global leader in the design and
manufacture of wireless communications systems, Northern Telecom's
products for this market include digital cellular radio equipment and
turnkey digital cellular and PCS networks, digital cellular and PCS
terminals, Proximity digital wireless access networks, and Companion
digital wireless business systems.

Headquartered in San Diego, QUALCOMM develops, manufactures, markets,
licenses and operates advanced communications systems and products
based on its proprietary digital wireless technologies. The Company's
primary product and development areas are the OmniTRACS! system (a
geostationary satellite-based, mobile communications system providing
two-way data and position reporting services), CDMA wireless
communications systems and products and, in conjunction with others,
the GLOBALSTAR! low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellite communications system.
Other Company products include the Eudora! by Qualcomm electronic mail
software, VLSI components and communications equipment.

OmniTRACS is a registered trademark of QUALCOMM Incorporated.
GLOBALSTAR is a trademark of Globalstar, L.P.  Eudora is a registered
trademark of the University of Illinois licensed to QUALCOMM
Incorporated.  Proximity and Companion are trademarks of Northern
Telecom.

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

Date: Sun, 18 Dec 1994 21:30:15 -0500
Subject: Selling Long-Distance Telephone Packages Door-to-Door
From: [e-mail] (Nigel Allen)
Organization: 52 Manchester Avenue, Toronto M6G 1V3


[Note from NDA: The following article appeared in eye Weekly, a
Toronto newspaper. Eye sponsors the eye.general newsgroup, and posts
selected articles to that newsgroup and to tor.general, the Toronto
general newsgroup, and invotes readers to redistribute the articles
freely in cyberspace.  Because long-distance companies in Canada need
to get the customer's written authorization before switching the
customer's primary carrier, some long distance companies have been
using door-to-door sales to sign new customers up.)

 >From: [e-mail] (eye WEEKLY)
 >Newsgroups: eye.news,tor.general
 >Subject: NEWS & VIEWS: Forte Communications

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
eye WEEKLY                                            December 15 1994
Toronto's arts newspaper                      .....free every Thursday
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NEWS & VIEWS                                              NEWS & VIEWS

                        TOUGH TIMES IN DECEMBER
                                  by
                          ALEXANDRA HIGHCREST


Although traditionally thought of as a time of good will toward all
people, this season will see its share of people facing tough times.

Last August, Bill Minz got in on the ground floor of a growing new
business -- the selling of discount long-distance telephone packages.
He worked 14-hour shifts, seven days a week. Minz was good at his job
but a month later he quit. Minz said he did this because he never got
paid.

Minz began his short-lived career by answering a newspaper ad placed
by Forte Communications. He was called in for an interview which,
according to Minz, went well. "They told me I was just right for the
job," he said. The next day was spent in training, where Minz learned
what he needed to know to sell the product, an introductory discount
long-distance offer. It wasn't until the third day that Minz
discovered that he'd be selling the offer door to door, on commission.

Minz was ready to give it a go. "I was really into it. If you're gonna
do it, get into it." He believed in the product, and subscribed to the
service himself, but found the days long. "I'd get into the office at
9:30 a.m. for a cheerleading session. Then I'd work the field from
11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. After that it was back to the office for more
schmoozing. I'd get home by 11 p.m."

His commission was $7 per client and on some days he would sell 15 new
customers on the offer. "I was asked to give little talks to the other
salesmen every morning, to get them pumped up," Minz said. "Only the
top sellers were asked to give these speeches."

After a month of this, said Minz, he had seen only 300 of his hard-earned
dollars. He quit in mid-September and waited for his money.

The months and the phone calls went by. According to Minz, Forte told
him that they would pay commissions only for the customers that stayed
on with the service provider. Minz agreed, but when he contacted many
of his customers he said they told him that the provider never
contacted them. In other words, many of Minz's initial sales became
worthless to him because no one did any follow-up with the new
customers. Although Minz agreed to accept less money than he
originally thought was owed him, he still has not received a cheque.

eye contacted Bernie Silverberg, who spoke on behalf of Forte
Communications: "I'll look into this matter and see that this guy gets
the money due him. I don't want to see anyone walk away dissatisfied."

Scott McClellan of the Canadian Direct Marketing Association describes
the reselling of telephone rate packages as a "wide open, basically
unregulated business." McClellan had heard a few stories of customers
being badly treated by discount phone service providers. He had not
heard of Forte Communications, which only finds customers for these
companies.

Minz thinks Forte has forgotten about the employees who sold the old
offer, because they're busy selling phone service for a new client. For
now, all he can do is wait for his cheque.


 Retransmit freely in cyberspace        Author holds standard copyright
 Issues of eye in archive                         gopher://interlog.com
 Coupla Mailing lists available             http://www.interlog.com/eye
 [e-mail]      "Break the Gutenberg Lock..."       416-971-8421

forwarded to the TELECOM Digest by   Nigel Allen    [e-mail]

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

Date: Sun, 18 Dec 1994 09:46:50 est
From: Dale Wharton <[e-mail]>
Subject: Downside of Deregulation


Patrick, today I received this from Sid Shniad out in Burnaby BC
<[e-mail]>:

Date: Thu, 15 Dec 1994 17:01:56 -0800 (PST)

This might interest the people on the telecom net.

Cheers, Sid


Turmoil in the deregulated phone industry

  "On the eve of divestiture [in 1984], AT&T was the world's largest
private employer with over one million employees. Since divestiture
AT&T has eliminated some 140,000 bargaining unit jobs, while it has
established and purchased major nonunion subsidiaries. Since October
1993, major corporate restructuring accelerated [among the Regional
Bell Operating Companies or RBOCs, the companies that were created as
a result of the AT&T divestiture]. US West announced the elimination
of 9,400 jobs. Bell South said it was eliminating 10,800 jobs. GTE
announced the elimination of 17,000 jobs. Pacific Telesis said it
would downsize by 10,000 jobs at Pacific Bell. AT&T declared it would
eliminate another 15,000 jobs on top of already scheduled force
reductions of 6,000 operator and call servicing positions and 7,500
jobs at Global Information Solutions, formerly NCR. Ameritech said it
would reduce its workforce by 6,000. NYNEX scaled back its plans to
eliminate 22,500 jobs to 16,800 positions.

"From the standpoint of labor-management relations, this massive industrial
restructuring is in jeopardy of severing the traditional link between
high productivity growth through rapid technological change and rising
employee incomes with employment security.  When compared to the decade
prior to divestiture, postdivestiture productivity growth has fallen
by one-half as networks are duplicated and many of the one million
employees in the industry now face chronic insecurity, displacement,
and stagnating incomes.  Breaking the industry's social contract
through this uncoupling may have serious long term consequences for
productivity, service quality, and stable labor-management relations."

This quote was excerpted from Telecommunications Labor-Management
Relations One Decade After the AT&T Divestiture, a paper presented by
Jeffrey Keefe, Institute of Management and Labor Relations, Rutgers
University, and Karen Boroff, Stillman School of Business, Seton Hall
University, at the conference on "International Developments in
Workplace Innovation: Implications for Canadian Competitiveness," Park
Plaza Hotel, Toronto, June, 1994.


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Sid does not say, nor does the original
writer, if this downsizing would have occurred had AT&T stayed as one
whole piece. I think it would have anyway. The competition out there
today is a killer. In most companies, payroll is still the single largest
expense. Typically 75-85 percent of any company's expense is its
payroll. Something had to happen; we are seeing it now.   PAT]

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

From: Patterson David M. <[e-mail]>
Subject: Variable Rate Vocoders
Organization: Martin Marietta Astronautics, Denver
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 1994 22:11:04 GMT


I know that Qualcomm has developed a Variable rate vocoder for their
CDMA system.  Would it be possible to easily incorporate their (or any
other variable rate vocoder) within a TDMA system?

At first glance, it would appear the time slot size of a TDMA system
would not be conducive to a variable rate vocoder.

I would welcome a discussion on this matter, either within this
newsgroup or with me individually.


Regards,

David Patterson   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Ed Goldgehn)
Subject: $495 ISDN Data/Voice "Modem"
Date: 19 Dec 1994 04:32:35 GMT
Organization: The INTERNET Connection, LLC
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Yeah, I know I posted about this under "Motorola UTA210 and Turnkey
Implementation" where I described all the different value adds we put
on the sale of ISDN hardware for list price.  But, I blew it!

So, to get it right the second time (and to make certain my friends at
Motorola don't get mad at me), here's the scoop:

Motorola's UTA210 with one data port (64K) and one POTS (standard
analog voice) port with internal NT-1.

List price is $495.

No BONDING, Sync to Async PPP, or Multi-Line PPP yet but they do have
a softload feature for the firmware when the upgrades are available.

The unit does come with a Windows based software package for
configuration and a good async communications package as well that
circumvents Windows serial port speed limitations.

[Okay, now the commercial]

We sell these units (and UTA220k's) at list price with a bit of value add:

1)  We check with BellSouth to see if you can get ISDN.
    We can do this with other RBOC's as well but have great contacts at
    BellSouth's DCSC.  Turn around time can be as little as 1 day in
    some circumstances.

2)  We order the line for you with your authorization via e-mail.
    Installation time (without holidays) tends to run 10 days.

3)  We pre-configure the units to match your switch, SPID and DN numbers
    and pre-test them as well to make certain they work out of the box
    (Not that this is a problem, but it eliminates a variable under #4)

4)  We are your first call if you have any problems.
    When necessary (and that can be quite often if you've ever ordered
    ISDN), WE contact the telephone company to assist in problem
    determination or to confirm switch settings.  We expect 90% will
    work right out of the box in this manner.

5)  We offer a 24 hour dial-in site for testing of the unit.  The unit
    does support Synch 64K but the beta versions didn't have V.25bis.
    So, we're only offering ASYNC testing at this point with SL/IP
    and PPP when necessary.  If you have a SYNC router on the other
    end of it, we can test that too if you support CHAP authentication.
    [We expect you can test the voice portion by calling all your
    friends and co-workers to rave about it after it's plugged in]

    BTW, the dial-in site is hooked to a limited use WWW site so you
    can even see how much difference there is loading gif's at 64K
    quickly!


For more info, send e-mail to [e-mail]


Ed Goldgehn                                     E-Mail:  [e-mail]
Sr. Vice-President                              Voice:  [phone]
Open Communication Networks, Inc.               Fax:    [phone]
   An Enhanced Service Provider of BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc.

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

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 94 02:34:43 GMT
From: Steve Brack <[e-mail]>
Subject: Bypass 900 Block?


I saw this on rec.railroad.  Is it really possible to bypass 900 blocking
so easily?

===== Start quote =====

It is always possible to bypass the 900 block by replacing the "1" at
the beginning of the number by the long distance carrier access code
viz 10222 for MCI, 10288 for AT&T.

eg French Govt Tourist office: 10288-900-990-0040 will work even with
900 call blocking.


[e-mail]    | "S'il te plait, dessine moi
===== End quote =====


Steve Brack, Consultant  [e-mail]
Toledo, OH  43613-1605   [e-mail]
             Tel: [phone]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I don't think it is quite this easy. If
it works for the author, then I suggest something is wrong at the local
level in his telco; it certainly is not nationwide practice. In the case
of Illinois Bell for example -- and I think this is true of other telcos
as well -- *regardless* of whatever you prepend to the dialing string,
whatever access code you use, etc -- telco examines the entire string
of digits in their total context and *then* acts on them, either passing
the call to the requested (or default) long distance carrier or acting
on them directly, etc. For example, here if you have 900/976 blocking
on your line, then not only are you unable to dial one of those numbers
direct, but the operator is also unable to make the connection. Ditto
the 'double zero' (or long distance) operator. She cannot get the call
released from her console and out to the network. And we know that MCI
as one example 'does not complete calls to 976 at the present time' as
their intercept recording states, whether you in fact called 976-xxxx
or 212-540-xxxx or 900-anything. I'd be interested in knowing if the
original author actually accomplished this or if he is simply theorizing
that it might work.  I just tried it here using various combinations
(I have 900/976 blocking) and could not break the barrier. I tried
976, 1-900, 10288-1-900, 10288-976, 10288-1-312-976, etc. I tried
0 (ask the operator for ...)  and 00 (ask the operator for ...).  PAT]

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

Date: Sun, 18 Dec 94 18:44:22 -0500
From: [e-mail] (A. Padgett Peterson)
Subject: Businesses, Homes, and CNID


John Levine, [e-mail] rites:

> Can you really say that you never, ever, make a call when it's none of
> the callee's business where you're calling from?
> The standard example is a doctor whose answering service screens the
> calls but returns patients' calls from home when they call evenings
> and weekends.

Please read the FAQ. In there I outline the capability for a telco
service (at slight additional charge) for the CNID to return a
different number (office, Police, etc.) on proper application/author-
ization. Such a translation is well within the capability of the SS-7
switch programming.

Further, many PBXs already return a generic number rather than the
extension of the calling phone. Finally, it would be simple for an
answering service/office to set up a dial-in/dial-out service that
would return their office number *right now* but would require a cross
verification (using CNID, natch) that it was really the doctor making
the call.

In fact I can see it as a timesaver -- the doctor is paged and calls
the service number for the message. If response is indicated he enters
a sequence and the *service* calls the number it recorded using CNID.
He is connected to the patient immediately and the patient knows it is
the doctor because the CNID number displayed is the doctor's office.
Win-Win and *nothing* had to be done by the telco.


Warmly,

Padgett

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

From: [e-mail] (Wilhelm)
Subject: Wireless Resale Conference
Date: 18 Dec 1994 21:20:31 GMT
Organization: National Cellular Resellers Association


                NATIONAL CELLULAR RESELLERS ASSOCIATION
             ANNOUNCES WIRELESS CONFERENCE AND NAME CHANGE

    The National Cellular Resellers Association announced recently
that it will hold a major conference early next year on wireless
resale.  The conference, tentatively scheduled for April 5th through
the 7th in Washington, D.C., will address key issues facing existing
Wireless resellers as well as firms considering entering the resale
business.  NCRA also announced that it will be changing its name to
the National Wireless Resellers Association.

   "The name change simply responds to the changing face of the
wireless industry," explained NCRA executive director David Gusky.
"Until recently, 'wireless' essentially meant 'cellular,' but that's
no longer the case.  Now, 'wireless' means cellular, personal
communications services, enhanced two-way radio, and even paging.  We
want people to know that regardless of the type of wireless resale
they're involved in, this association is the only trade group in the
country charged solely with protecting and promoting their business."

   "The April conference recognizes the unprecedented surge in interest in
wireless resale," Gusky continued.  "Most telecommunications companies
are planning to offer customers some type of wireless service in the
foreseeable future but do not have either the ability or desire to
make the large, high-risk investment required to become a facilities-
based wireless carrier.  This is especially true of small businesses.
Resale is an attractive, alternative means of entry into the wireless
marketplace and our conference is designed to give companies, large
and small, a working knowledge of how wireless resale operates and how
the business likely will evolve with the arrival of new facilities-based
carriers.  The conference also will give current NCRA members valuable
information on issues they must deal with today."

   While specific conference agenda items have not been finalized,
NCRA indicated that certain subjects are almost sure to be addressed.
These include such topics as the resale opportunities promised by PCS,
the basics of starting and running a competitive resale business, how
to deal with fraud and rate discrimination, and how to combine
landline and wireless services into a single customer package.
Additional information on the conference can be obtained by calling
NCRA at 202-429-2014 (fax: [phone]) or by writing to the
association at 1825 Eye Street N.W., No. 400, Washington, D.C. 20006.

CONTACT David Gusky of the National Cellular Resellers Association,
202-429-2014.

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

From: [e-mail] (Pete Kruckenberg)
Subject: Information Needed on Digital Interfaces/Protocols
Date: 18 Dec 1994 18:39:08 -0700
Organization: DahlinSmithWhite, Inc.


Hi!

I'm making my first venture into the world of Unix drivers, and need
to get some information for this project. I'm writing a driver for a
synchronous card to be used with the free-ware Unix clone called
Linux. What I really need is some pointers to books, RFC's, on-line
stuff, etc, that would help me understand how to interface with DDS
(and eventually frame-relay and ISDN) connections. Specifically, I
need to know what protocols are used, how those protocols work, and
how network protocols are shipped out over digital lines.

I guess I'm looking for information in two areas: general digital
communications information that is geared towards the protocols that
are used (sort of a tutorial), and specific information about how
those protocols work, and how protocols from higher layers are
accommadated/encapsulated.

I would appreciate any recommendations of books, or pointers to
on-line resources to help me in a rather quick introduction to this
field before I start to actually work on this driver.

By the way, for those of you who are interested, the driver is for an
ISA-bus board that handles 2.4kbps to 6Mbps synchronous traffic, and my
ultimate goal is to have kernel-space drivers for raw communication
with the card, then user-space drivers to handle HDLC, frame-relay,
and ISDN connections.


Thanks,

Pete Kruckenberg   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Matthew D. Healy)
Subject: DSP Phones For Hearing Impaired Persons
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 01:01:24 GMT
Organization: Yale U.--Genetics & Medical Informatics


I'm hard of hearing (about 40 dB loss at low frequencies; about 70 dB
at high end...) and telephones have long been an irritant for me.  I
can use a standard voice phone, but often must ask the other party to
speak up.  If it's a stranger, I just say, "excuse me, but I have a
bad connection..." (I _do_; they don't have to know its inside _my_
inner ears).

Radio Shack now sells phones with a digital signal processing chip so
you can adjust the equalization, pumping up the frequencies you want
pumped-up.  Makes a _huge_ difference for me.  And there's a button
that switches the equalization in and out so my wife can use it
without getting blasted by the high-frequency emphasis ....


Matthew D. Healy               [e-mail]
Postdoc,Yale School of Medicine, Genetics & Medical Informatics,
SHM I-148, 333 Cedar St, New Haven, CT 06510

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

From: [e-mail] (Jim Tremlett)
Subject: Looking For AIN Training Course
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 1994 10:23:52 -0500
Organization: GTE Laboratories


I am looking for a training course on Advanced Intelligent Networks.
I would appreciate any help in locating such a course.  Likewise, I
will pass on what I find to anyone who is interested.

Thanks.  Please respond to my email address: [e-mail]


Jim

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #452
******************************


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Date: Mon, 19 Dec 94 01:46:02 CST
From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #453

TELECOM Digest     Mon, 19 Dec 94 01:46:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 453

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Caller-ID With Call-Waiting (William Kucharski)
    Re: Caller-ID With Call-Waiting (Gary Neff)
    Re: I Want Caller-ID. What's Wrong With it? ([e-mail])
    Re: I Want Caller-ID. What's Wrong With it? (Paul Robinson)
    Re: I Want Caller-ID. What's Wrong With it? (Benjamin P. Carter)
    Re: Idea: Residential Always Gets CID; Business Blockable? (S. Bapat)
    Re: Idea: Residential Always Gets CID; Business Blockable? (Alan Boritz)
    Fun With Caller ID (Paul Robinson)
    "Until You Kill Them, You Don't Know Who They Are." (Paul Robinson)
    Re: Unlicensed Wireless Data Communication (Michael Chui)
    Re: 911 From Unactivated Cell Phone? (Gordon Burditt)
    Some Thoughts of George Gilder (Gilder/Doug Henwood via Dale Wharton)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available at no charge to qualified organizations
and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify:

                 * [e-mail] *

The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
or phone at:
                    9457-D Niles Center Road
                     Skokie, IL USA   60076
                       Phone: [phone]
                        Fax: [phone]
  ** Article submission address only: [e-mail] **

Our archives are located at lcs.mit.edu and are available by using
anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email
information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to
use the information service, just ask.

*************************************************************************
*   TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the              *
* International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland    *
* under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES)   *
* project.  Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-*
* ing views of the ITU.                                                 *
*************************************************************************

Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such
as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help
is important and appreciated.

All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (William Kucharski)
Subject: Re: Caller-ID With Call-Waiting
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Denver, CO
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 1994 22:43:01 GMT


While reading article <[e-mail]>, I noticed that
[e-mail] (Jason White) said the following:

> I received an over-sized post card from US West a few weeks ago
> announcing that persons with Caller-ID will be able to see numbers/names
> of people nationwide starting mid-1995.

There was, of course a footnote stating the feature would be "Pending
PUC and FCC approval," of course ...

> It was also mentioned that Caller-ID would work with call-waiting; if you're
> on the phone and get the call-waiting beep, you'd also see who was calling
> you so you could "decide whether it's worth switching to the other call."  My
> question is: how is this implemented.  I'd hate to think that I'm going to
> have a 1200 baud data burst come roaring over the line while I'm trying to
> talk.  Anyone know anything more about how this?

There was another footnote: "Additional equipment required for caller
ID with call waiting."  That doesn't explain how they're going to do
it, but this footnote makes it sound like there will probably be a box
in line with your phone that, when you receive the call waiting tone,
will switch calls, receive the data stream and send it to your CID box
while, most likely, leaving your audio muted.

Anyone have other ideas?


William Kucharski, contractor, AT&T Bell Labs
Work Internet:  [e-mail]
Fun Internet:  [e-mail]  Ham:  N0OKQ

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

From: [e-mail] (Gary Neff)
Subject: Re: Caller-ID With Call-Waiting
Date: 19 Dec 1994 05:42:45 GMT
Organization: Pacifier, a public access Internet site.  (206-693-0325)


Jason White ([e-mail]) wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail].
> com> wrote:

>>               Frequently Asked Questions About Caller-ID
>>                            v1.1 Mar. 1994

>>        4) How is the Caller-ID information provided ?

>>        As  a  1200  baud, 7 data bits, 1 stop bit  data  stream  usually
>>        transmitted following the first and before the second ring signal

<snip>

Where can I find a copy of the Caller-ID faq ?


Gary Neff <[e-mail]>


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, the entire thing was printed in
issue 446 of this journal, and it will eventually be on display in
the Telecom Archives once I get some time and work over there getting
the newest additions organized and on display. For now, back up a
few issues and look for it last week.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Kronos)
Subject: Re: I Want Caller-ID. What's Wrong With it?
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 1994 20:45:20 GMT


[e-mail] (mahboud) writes:

> I am trying to figure out why caller-ID did not make it out here [in
> California].

The short answer is that, after offering it for a short time, they
withdrew the product because of lackluster sales.

The not-so-short version: Whenever a Bell company begins to offer
caller ID, they are inevitably asked "how many people have blocking
on their lines?"  Without exception, they always decline to answer,
usually citing that the information in "proprietary" or "confidential
marketing information."  Of course, the real reason they don't want to
discuss it is because most people block their lines when caller ID is
introduced, and revealing that fact would remove the market for the
product.  After all, who would pay a monthly fee for a service which
purports to show the caller's number (and sometimes name) when, in
fact, most calls would come in without such information.


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: My experience has been the opposite.
Most people do *not* block their number when calling, and in fact
most people are only vaguely aware of Caller ID unless they are
telecom-savvy. Rarely do I receive a call from a blocked number.  PAT]

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

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 03:48:05 GMT
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: I Want Caller-ID.  What's Wrong With it?


[e-mail] writes:

> Hi.  I sent the following article to ba.general.  That is a newsgroup
> here in the Bay Area region of Northern California.

Yes, I know.  Here in Maryland my provider (Digital Express) takes
*everything* even local groups.  I can read ba or triangle or chi
groups even though I'm hundreds or thousands of miles from those
areas.

> I am trying to figure out why caller-ID did not make it out here.

The California Public Utilities Commission issued an order stating
that for telephone companies in California to provide Caller ID
services, they had to comply with the following provisions:

1.  Per-Call blocking had to be available free for all telephones (this is
*67 dialed before a call made from here for example).

2.  All telephones which are unlisted must be set up for automatic
blocking (default is all calls are blocked) unless the customer requests
their line not to be blocked.

3.  Anyone could get their phone set to automatic blocking for free
during the start-up phase.

The phone company probably felt that this made offering the service too
expensive or uneconomical.  Something like 40% of all California
telephones are unlisted.

> It seems to me that the only people who would have problems with it are
> those who are up to no good.

This issue gets hashed over many times, but there are many reasons for
not wanting the telephone number you are using being known to the caller.

I had a problem with a Dominos pizza place once where I called them,
and gave them the wrong phone number because I use the alternate ring
number for all of my calls, but that's not the number it gives out on
caller-id.  This can sound odd if you are calling from one number but
claim to have another.

Another time I called the place, and when he asked for my number, I said,
"You have a caller-id box, why do you bother asking?"  (I routinely don't
bother blocking my number.)  He was surprised to know that I was aware of
this.

I found Pizza Hut makes better pizzas, so it solved both problems. :)

> (Instead of Caller-ID, Pacific Bell offers three services:  last caller
> redial, call block on ten numbers, and caller logging to enable tracing
> of obscene or annoying calls.  Pacific Bell charges a monthly fee
> (~$4) for each of these services.  In none of these services will you
> ever see the number of the calling party, in order to protect their
> anonymity).

> I also find it interesting that Pacific Bell managed to make the most
> out of this deal by providing us with three pay services that would
> have been free with caller-ID (with the right telephone sets at our
> end).

Call Return is activated by dialing *69 here; it costs $3.50 a month
for a subscription for unlimited use or 75c per use if you don't
subscribe.  (And you can block the service from being invoked).  Call
trace costs $1 per trace.  Call Block allows you to either block the
last caller or to enter a specific number and block that number; it
costs $4 a month.

We *have* caller ID here (it costs $6.50 a month), and we are charged in
the $3-$4 a month rate for each of these other services; CID has nothing
to do with the tariffed rate that the phone company can charge for the
other services.  (Note that if you take several services the "group" rate
is cheaper.)

> So does anyone think that maybe Pacific Bell does not want to provide
> caller-ID?

Pacific Bell and GTEL of California do not want to provide Caller ID
under the terms the CPUC has mandated, so they do not offer it.


Paul Robinson - [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Benjamin P. Carter)
Subject: Re: I Want Caller-ID. What's Wrong With it?
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 01:35:20 GMT


[e-mail] (mahboud) writes:

> I am trying to figure out why caller-ID did not make it out here.  It
> seems to me that the only people who would have problems with it are
> those who are up to no good.

You are mistaken.  There are honest people who object to caller ID on
various grounds.  Read some of the messages posted here recently.

> ...  So does anyone think that maybe Pacific Bell does not want to
> provide caller-ID?

You needn't speculate about this.  Pac Bell's stated position is that
they don't offer caller ID because they see no profit in it.


Ben Carter    internet address: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (S. Bapat)
Subject: Re: Idea: Residential Always Gets CID; Business Blockable?
Date: 18 Dec 1994 04:19:51 -0500


TELECOM Digest Editor noted:

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Since you are so concerned about liars
> using the telephone, isn't Ring Mate a sort of liar's tool itself?
> After all, aren't you choosing (when using Ring Mate) to make certain
> claims to the calling party such as I am not home if you called on
> line one, and am home if you called on the other side of the line, etc?
> Not that I care, but you seem so obsessed with people not being able
> to use the phone to play tricks ...  PAT]

C'mon Pat ... I agree with your view on this issue generally, but
isn't it a bit much to claim that people who use distinctive ringing
services are liars? Distinctive ringing is generally used to
demultiplex calls arriving on a single line. For example, I have three
numbers on a single line, and through a distinctive ringing
demultiplexer I have one number going to my fax machine, one to my
modem and one to a voice phone/answering machine.

When people send me faxes, they use one number; when people want to
talk to me, they use another, and when I want to dialup my home PC
from my laptop on the road, I use the third.

Now, of course, when I originate a call from home, I have no control
over which one of the three numbers on this line gets delivered as
CNID to the called party. The "main" number of the line is always the
CNID that goes out. I don't mind the number going out so much, but I
do mind my voice number going out to a BBS to which I am making a
modem call. Therefore, I always prefix all my modem dialing with *67.

I submit that this usage of distinctive ringing and *67 together
does not constitute lying.


Subodh Bapat   [e-mail]

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

Subject: Re: Idea: Residential Always Gets CID; Business Blockable?
From: drharry![e-mail] (Alan Boritz)
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 94 10:11:16 EST
Organization: Harry's Place - Mahwah NJ - [phone]


[e-mail] (Steve Cogorno) writes:

>> Question holds: who would want to remain anonymous when calling a
>> residential phone besides a prank caller, or someone cheating on his
>> wife who doesn't want his wife to know?

> Lots of people.  How about social workers, or battered women trying to hide
> out from their husbands?

How about social workers trying to hide from THEIR OWN wives?  Tough.
They'll have to change their operating procedure ... or make their calls
from a pay phone.

> What if I am calling someone from a friend's house.
> Should my friend's number get plastered all over that person's caller ID
> box?

Absolutely.  Of course, if you abuse the privilege and someone you've
disturbed harasses your friend, he might become a "former" friend.

> My impression from your message is that _you_ are the one with a problem
> about anonymous calls.

I would seriously doubt that.  Hanging up on them, or simply ignoring
them, solves the "problem" (if there ever was one, that is).  Reaching
me by telephone is a *privilege*, not a right.  If you abuse the
privilege, you'll never reach me on the phone.


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

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

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 04:09:11 GMT
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Fun With Caller ID


A few months back I had Caller ID reception enabled on the telephone
line my computer used because I had just gotten a modem that
recognized it.  I decided to play around with some of the features of
the phone system and discovered some interesting things.

The modem will deliver the Caller ID string either as a three-line ascii
message (date, time, phone number) or as a stream of ascii data
expressed as hex digits which amounts to the same thing.

The phone number appears as "P" for calls made with *67; calls made
via a long distance carrier appear with the phone number "O".  This
would correspond roughly to "Private" and "Out of Area".  Otherwise
they appear as a string in the form NXX-LLL-LLLL where NXX is the area
code and LLL-LLLL is the local number.  You get the area code even if
it's the same.

As a test, I had them add Caller-ID to my other line along with Return
Call (return call of last party who rang this number) and Repeat Call
(keep trying a busy number).  By subscribing to them, I only paid the
monthly rate for the portion of the month I used them, as opposed to
paying the 75c "pay per view" charge.  During that month, these
services could be subscribed to without an installation charge.

Here's a neat trick: Dial a number; your number is given in the
Caller-ID string if they have the service (or not if you use *67 for
private).  If the number is busy, dial the 'Repeat Call' code to have
your phone called back when the line is free.

Question: when the line is free and your call to them can go through, do
you get Caller-ID information?  Yes.  Whose ID do you get on the call
which rings to let you know that your call to them goes through?
THEIRS!  If you called the number originally with *67, you still get
their number on your box, but they would get "P" on theirs!

This provides an interesting way for someone to create a false
accusation.  Call a number, wait for it to be answered, then
immediately hang up (or use a second line) and call that number.  It's
busy, so signal for Repeat Call to call you back when the number
becomes free.

"Your Honor, My client's caller-id box has defendant's phone number on
it, and the time and date indicate it was after the restraining order
was issued." "But Your Honor, my client vehemently denies he made any
calls to the number; it was her calling him ..."

Yeah, right.


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, this serves to illustrate how the
generics differ from one community or telco to another. When you use
Repeat Call here, before any attempt is made to ring the desired number
(after a query shows it to now be free to accept your call) *your*
phone is rung back with a special ringing cadence. When you answer the
phone (meaning you are still around, and ringing the other end won't
simply result in a non-call because you left, went out or whatever)
then after a second or two pause, the other end starts ringing. That
is unless the other end became busy again. In that case, once your phone
rings and you answer, after a second or two of silence the computer
responds, "I'm sorry, the number you are calling did become free, but
it since has become busy again."

In fact when this was first installed in Chicago-Rogers Park CO a few
years ago, a little bug in the program provided fun and games for a
while until it was fixed: Dial your own number; it will of course be
busy. Hang up then use Repeat Call. The computer will set about trying
to get through to you. After a few seconds when it checks and finds the
line is now free -- because of course, you did hang up -- it rings you
and proceeds to place your call. Ooops! It finds your line is busy again
and so advises you. You hang up, the process would repeat over and
over for thirty minutes or so or until you cancelled your Repeat Dialing
Request (*89 I think). Finally they fixed it so that 'you cannot use
Repeat Dialing to reach the number you are calling ... this is a recording
and all that rot ... '    <grin>    PAT]

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

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 04:26:40 GMT
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Subject: "Until You Kill Them, You Don't Know Who They Are."


Many years ago I played a Star Trek game on our school's mainframe.
One of the provisions of the instructions indicated that to stop the
other side from being agressive, you had to destroy the flagship.  To
stop them from reloading their supplies, you had to destroy the fuel
ship too.  And the flag ship could, in some cases, also be the fuel
ship; you couldn't tell.  The instructions gave this caveat: Until you
kill them, you don't know who they are.

My sister has a cellular telephone from Cellular One of the
Washington, DC area in her car.  To see what would happen, I tried
picking up the phone while it was sitting in front of my house, and
dialed the 1-800-MY-ANI-IS number to get the ANI of the number.  The
voice responded with a number in the 410 area code, which is either
the Columbia or Baltimore areas, at least 20 to 40 miles east of my
house.

My sister's car phone is on a 703 number, which is in Northern Virginia,
some 40 miles *west* of my house.

A day or two later, I was waiting in front of the Amtrak Union Station in
Washington DC to pick up an associate.  While I was waiting, I decided to
try the 1-800-MY-ANI-IS number so I could write down what the number was
that was generated.  Union Station is about 10 miles west of my house.

This time, the area code of the outgoing number was a 301 area code number.

The moral of this story?  On Cellular One's service, until you call them,
you won't know who you are.  :)

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

Date: Sun, 18 Dec 1994 23:37:20 -0500
From: Michael Chui <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Unlicensed Wireless Data Communication
Organization: Computer Science, Indiana University


In article <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail].
net> wrote:

> Michael Chui <[e-mail]> wrote a long submission entitled:

>>                  Unlicensed Wireless Data Communication
>>                "Will All the Public Beaches Be Auctioned?"

    Actually, I was only forwarding this article, which was sent
by Jim Burger of Apple Computer.  I should have more clearly
identified the author at the top of the article:

|For further information: Jim Burger [[e-mail]], Director of
|Government Affairs, Apple Computer, Inc. [phone]

> There is a deeper philosophical issue here, reflected by Michael's
> "public beaches" analogy. Should the government be in the business of
> subsidizing the communications desires of educational institutions out
> of the pockets of the rest of the taxpayers? Is this the "best" use of
> the spectrum?

    The opportunity cost of not choosing auctioning off a
particular piece of spectrum for the exclusive use of the winning
bidder is not the only factor in a meaningful cost-benefit analysis.
Describing a decision to allocate some non-licensed spectrum as a
subsidy is thus premature.

    I find the proposals of those advocating the allocation of
some non-licensed spectrum to be rather intriguing, and a relatively
modest testbed for non-exclusive spectrum-sharing technology and
markets.


Michael Chui   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Gordon Burditt)
Subject: Re: 911 From Unactivated Cell Phone?
Organization: /usr/lib/news/organi[sz]ation
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 1994 18:26:59 GMT


> So if California really begins to crackdown on cell phone dealers, watch
> them change the wording and terms: the cost of all phones will go up
> and the generosity of the carriers -- once an iron-clad contract has
> been signed -- will be noted in 'free cash gifts' to customers, but from
> the carrier itself, not from the dealer.     PAT]

There's a big difference between this and the currrent non-California
method.  If I buy a phone, and sign up for activation, I get a 'free
cash gift' to cover a good portion of the cost of the phone.  When my
contract expires after a year or two, I can go to the OTHER carrier in
the area, sign up for activation with that carrier, without buying a
phone, and get another 'free cash gift'.  That is, unless my current
carrier offers me a better deal.  The other carrier really has no idea
I didn't just buy this phone, and 'no bundling' laws prevent it from
making a difference anyway.

Suddenly, I get the bonus for EVERY contract rather than just the
first one for this phone.  I think this is what the carriers were
trying to avoid.


Gordon L. Burditt     sneaky.lonestar.org!gordon

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

Date: Sun, 18 Dec 1994 08:53:31 est
From: Dale Wharton <[e-mail]>
Subject: Some Thoughts of George Gilder


You might be interested in this reference to Geo Gilder; it appeared
in an economics forum. (W&P stands for _Wealth and Poverty_.)

Regards,

Dale Wharton   [e-mail]    M O N T R E A L    Te souviens-tu?

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

 Date: Sat, 17 Dec 1994 10:29:06 -0800
 From: Doug Henwood <[e-mail]>
 Subject: Re: quiz family values/family wage
 X-Comment: Progressive Economics List

Wow. I'm overcome by my victory. But of course I owe it all to my
study of Gilder.

Another line of his from W&P I also like is that socialism is just too
rational, too carefully planned, while capitalism plunges ahead with
romantic recklessness, trusting only in providence, not reason.

And, finally, this nugget from Gilder's Microcosm, perhaps setting the
stage for the Newt Age:

<quote>

The United States did not enter the microcosm through the portals of
the Ivy League, with Brooks Brothers suits, gentleman Cs, and warbling
society wives. [Gilder himself did, however. As Susan Faludi reported
in Backlash, young George was adopted by the Rockefeller family after
his father, David R.'s roommate at Dartmouth, was killed in World War
II.] Few people who think they are already in can summon the energies
to break in. From immigrants and outcasts, street toughs and science
wonks, nerds and boffins, the bearded and the beer-bellied, the tacky
and the upright, and sometimes weird, the born again and born
yesterday, with Adam's apples bobbing, psyches throbbing, and acne
galore, the fraternity of the pizza breakfast, the Ferrari dream, the
silicon truth, the midnight modem, and the seventy-hour week, from
dirt farms and redneck shanties, trailer parks and Levittowns, in a
rainbow parade of all colors and wavelengths, of the hyperneat and the
sty high, the crewcut and khaki, the ponytailed and punk, accented
from Britain and Madras, from Israel and Malaya, from Paris and Parris
Island, from Iowa and Havana, from Brooklyn and Boise and Belgrade and
Vienna and Vietnam, from the coarse fanaticism and desperation,
ambition and hunger, genius and sweat of the outsider, the
downtrodden, the banished, and the bullied come most of the progress
in the world and in Silicon Valley. <endquote>

Tubular, eh?


Doug Henwood [[e-mail]]
Left Business Observer
212-874-4020 (voice)   212-874-3137 (fax)


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Verrrrry interesting, but is it for
real? <g> George Gilder's essays are all on file in the Telecom
Archives, in a sub-directory of their own. If you have not kept up
with them in the past when they were published here, you can do so
now in the archives. Using anonymous ftp (or other program more to
your liking) connect with lcs.mit.edu, then 'cd telecom-archives'.
I'm going to be getting the archives organized and cleaned up a bit
by the end of the year ... I promise.    PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #453
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #454

TELECOM Digest     Mon, 19 Dec 94 02:21:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 454

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    360 NPA Works in 206 (Tad Cook)
    360 NPA in Partial Service (Ry Jones)
    We Don't Care; We're the Phone Company ([e-mail])
    Call For Papers For Virtual University (Henry Matthes)
    Re: TAP, Pager Information Wanted (Bob Spargo)
    Re: Caller-ID With Call-Waiting (Daryl Gibson)
    Re: Caller-ID With Call-Waiting (John O. Harris)
    Re: Idea: Residential Always Gets CID; Business Blockable? (Glenn Foote)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available at no charge to qualified organizations
and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify:

                 * [e-mail] *

The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
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                     Skokie, IL USA   60076
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*************************************************************************
*   TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the              *
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* ing views of the ITU.                                                 *
*************************************************************************

Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such
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is important and appreciated.

All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Tad Cook)
Subject: 360 NPA Works in 206
Date: 19 Dec 1994 03:20:17 GMT
Organization: Seanet Online Services, Seattle WA


For fun I just tried dialing my sister using the new 360 NPA.  She
lives on Whidbey Island, which is in the area that will be served by
the new area code starting in January.

 From 206-527 (served by US West) here in Seattle it worked, on
December 18.


Tad Cook    [e-mail]  or  [e-mail]
or  [e-mail]   Seattle, WA

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

From: [e-mail] (Ry Jones)
Subject: 360 NPA in Partial Service
Date: 19 Dec 1994 07:44:48 GMT
Organization: The SenseMedia Network, http://sensemedia.net/


The 360 NPA has been used to complete calls from US West areas in 360
to areas within 360. I tried to call 1.360.nxx.xxxx, 1.0[288,555,222].
1.360.nxx.xxxx, and the like from GTE-land in Kirkland and did not get
through. The call would almost always be dropped on the last digit of
the NXX, leading me to think that the switches have the NPA down but
not the exchanges, or something. But I get the error tones on the last
X of the NXX. Anyone else have any luck using 360 yet?


Please reply to [e-mail] or directly to [e-mail].
Other mutations may bounce, such as [e-mail].

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

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 94 01:57:08 EDT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: We Don't Care; We're the Phone Company


Forwarded from a friend - thought the net might want to be careful
believing what they read (or what they Web):

  Aka-subject: We don't care; we're the phone company.
  Date: 15 December 1994

Anatomy of frustration:

One ringy-dingy - November: After reading a press release on Bell
Atlantic's WWW server claiming that Caller*ID Deluxe (i.e., CNID
w/customer name delivery) would be available in my state on 15 December
1994, I called my business office to place an order.  The nice lady took
my number, said that PUC approval was still pending, and that my order
would go in on 15 December 1994 if that approval was granted.  (side-bar:
I have a password on my account - the nice lady was *so* nice that she
never bothered to ask me for my password and still put in my change-of-
service order.)

Two ringy-dingies -- last week: I called BA's business office to see if
PUC approval had been granted.  Yippee!  It had.  (Another) nice lady
said my order would be automatically released on the 15th and I would
have CNID+Deluxe soon thereafter.

10 minutes after that phone call: I called ZyXEL, downloaded new ROM's,
reprogrammed my software, put in an order with Santa for a new Caller*ID
box (I've got an old one that won't do multiple-message format CNID), and
started working with a friend on a firmware update to his homebrew CNID
box.

Three ringy-dingies -- this morning: I called BA's business office and
(yet another) nice lady told me that my order hadn't been released, but
she would release it and that, due to the heavy volume, my order might
not go in until 5:00 PM, but she checked my account specifically and told
me the order was definitely going to go in.

The ringy-dingy that broke the camel's back -- 20 minutes ago: I
remembered that Anonymous Calling and its suite of features was
supposed to be a freebee to existing CNID customers, so I decided to
try them out, calling from one of my lines to the other.  Everything
worked, but Anonymous Call Block didn't provide any kind of intercept
message -- just dead silence.  I called repair to make sure that that
would eventually function as documented.  She said "You can't have
Anonymous Calling or Caller*ID Deluxe; they're not going to be
available until 1995 or 1996."  I chuckled since she must be wrong,
no?  I mean, I have an order going in any minute now, right?

Wrong.

Money for new ROMS: wasted.  Money for new CNID box: wasted.  Time spent
on phone downloading new software: wasted.  Etc., etc., etc.: wasted.

Response from Bell Atlantic: "I'm very sorry."  I'm out several hundred
dollars and dozens of hours of time, and all that the very nice but very
useless lady can offer is "Take your box back to where you bought it"?

If I ran my business the way Bell Atlantic runs theirs, I'd have no
customers.  Hey FCC: Give me a choice of local carriers!  Soon!

The "media relations" guy I talked to seemed no more interested in
helping me than any of the other droids there. I wonder if BA
understands the concept of "competition" like we real businessmen do?


Rob Bailey    South Charleston WV
(one of the parts of WV that CAN'T get Caller*ID Deluxe)

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

From: [e-mail] (Henry Matthes)
Subject: Call For Papers For Virtual University
Date: Sun, 18 Dec 1994 08:09:07 -0800
Organization: Pacific Heights Network


CALL FOR PAPERS - Data communications and telecommunications.

The enclosed press release has been delayed pending approval by InterNIC.
The intended opening date is January 16, 1995 -- so we have one month to
obtain papers for posting and sale.

If you would like to contribute documents which are public domain or
donate private papers, please email them with a brief cover as to
their content.

If you would like to sell documents which are your own intellectual
property, please write me via private email.  We do not buy your
documents, we merely distribute them for you and pay you royalties per
copy.  These documents remain exclusively your property.


Editorial Contact:   Henry Matthes
   Pacific Heights Network
   [phone] (Voice & Fax)
   [e-mail]

PRELIMINARY -- Embargo in effect until further notice. -- PRELIMINARY

VIRTUAL UNIVERSITY OPENS DOORS
FOR GLOBAL RESEARCH, EDUCATION, CAREER COUNSELING

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (December XX, 1994) -- To assist the experienced and
novice in the Computer and Communications industries with a
centralized research facility, ongoing education and career
counseling/placement, Henry Matthes, president of Pacific Heights
Network, has announced the formation of The Virtual University.

"Over the past 30 years our industry has undergone occasional
revolutions and a dramatic evolution in the way concepts, ideas and
technology are delivered and used," Matthes stated.  "The industry is
further confused by changing legislation.  These factors increase the
need for continued technical and professional education.  Using the
Internet as our research, distribution and counseling pathway, The
Virtual University is a gathering place for people around the world to
stay abreast of the industry changes that can affect their careers."

Advanced Information Delivery

Matthes said The Virtual University concept has been evolving over the
past two years as he counseled and consulted with people in the
industry around the globe as a part of his work with Dataquest, a
leading industry research firm.  "In almost every firm we worked
with," he commented, "it was apparent that people wanted advanced
forms of educational material delivery.  Traditional universities were
only addressing the needs of younger students and theorists.  But the
people in the real world needed access to operational training, a
platform for advanced networking studies as well as a filtration
mechanism for technical and applications information."

To meet the educational/informational needs, The Virtual University
has brought together a staff of more than 100 consultants, writers,
editors and educators located on three continents.  Using the
Internet's World Wide Web, the University will provide public access
to product/application information and technical writings.  Registered
students will have private access to extensive libraries of research,
education, documentation, training and career guidance.


Pivotal Resource Center

Matthes explained that The Virtual University will provide networking
people three major resources:

  publication of collected documents
  educational training delivered on site
  professional staffing services

Campus Map

The Virtual University campus consists of:

  Admissions/Registrar's Office: The entry point for serious students
in search of networking knowledge.  Applications will be available on
the Internet Web by accessing http://www.phn.com/virtu or with email.

  Bookstore:  A source of written studies, reports and perspectives.
Registered students may make purchases using secured Internet credit
transactions and email.

  Library: The University's public access library is available to
anyone on the Internet.  Shelves contain abstracts of all documents
available in the bookstore.  Other shelves contain contributions from
networking concerns such as service providers, equipment manufacturers
and market research analysts.  The University Library is an excellent
location to peruse product documentation, announcements and other
public domain documents pertaining to advanced networking studies.

  Virtual University Newspaper: Written by students, staff and
contributors, The Virtual University's "Network Observatory" contains
information that is timely and unbiased.  Most issues will include a
rumor and speculation column, "The Network Curmudgeon", written by
anonomous authors.  Published through Internet email, the University
newspaper will contain no advertising and the subscription cost will
be very reasonable.

  Curriculum: The staffs of Pacific Heights Network and the Virtual
University have developed a wide curriculum of courses that will be
available either through the Internet or on a customer's site.
Courses and instructors are currently available for course
presentation in both English and Mandarin.  Other language-specific
instructors are being interviewed and will be added in the coming
months.  The course catalog, updated monthly, appears on the Internet
Web.

  Career Guidance and Placement Center: The Virtual University
officials anticipate that many students will also be managers.  This
office will assist them in locating the right people to meet their
organizations growing network-related staff requirements.  At the
same time, students who are seeking advancement may request
confidential career guidance at any time.

  Administrative Office: The Virtual University's administrative
office is a true paperless office.  A browser for the World Wide Web,
such as Mosaic or Netscape, simplifies the electronic forms.  If
individuals don't have a browser capable of forms completion, the
University will accept email submissions.

  President's Office:  Contact the University with questions, course
concepts, specialized research requests or general queries by sending
email to [e-mail] on the Internet.  Requests or questions will be
handled by Matthes and other University staff members.  If no email
service is available, individuals can fax Pacific Heights Network at
415/922-0274.

Open for Submissions

In addition to the library of research, information and material The
Virtual University already has, Matthes said the organization is
developing an extensive network of industry partners.  "We want to
receive all types of news and press announcements, white papers,
product literature, system documentation, application notes and
technical notes via email to fill our virtual shelves," Matthes
commented.  "When we receive ASCII, RTF, Word and other document
forms, we will convert them to HTML for the WWW.  The more information
we have in the library the more the Virtual University will become the
casual and serious educational center for the industry.  This is our
long-term objective."

Staff Opportunities

Matthes noted that people who are interested in becoming Virtual
University staff members should contact Pacific Heights Network for
complete details.  Authors, teachers and course creators will be paid
for the documents, training and courses they provide and conduct.
Authors will receive royalties based on the sales of their
intellectual property.  Teachers will earn salaries for conducting
customer classes.  Course creators will receive royalties for the
teaching ot their courses.

For information on admissions, people should contact The Virtual
University at [e-mail] or by faxing 415/922-0274 for complete
details.

Headquartered Novato California, Pacific Heights Network and The
Virtual University provide a broad range of educational,
informational, counseling and networking consulting services for
business and industry worldwide.


Sincerely,

Henry Matthes - D.B.A. -  Editor   -    Pacific Heights Network
Publishing networking news! --  Home of the "Virtual University"
[e-mail]              Providing resources to Networkers

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

From: Bob Spargo <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: TAP, Pager Information Wanted
Date: 19 Dec 1994 03:23:29 GMT


[e-mail] (martin johnson) wrote:

> I am trying to get a automatic paging function into my PC.  I intend
> to use KERMIT scripted to use TAP, Telocator Alph- numeric Protocol.
> The problem is, I cant locate a copy of the TAP protocol. Does anyone
> on the net know where I can get this, or for that matter, any paging
> service protocols?  If anyone has already done this with KERMIT, I
> would of course appreciate any suggestions.

The protocol is available for purchase from the Telocator Network of
America in Washington, DC.

The following is an explanation and code snipet from an associate
of mine that should get you started.

"The protocol you're attempting to find is called TAP (Telocator
Alpha-Paging Protocol).  It's the industry-standard version of IXO's
and PET protocols.  It's not real tough to implement ... in fact, it's
something you can emulate with scripts in apps like MicroPhone and
ProComm.

There are two versions of TAP ... a manual flavor and an automatic
one.  If you want to try the manual version to get a feel for things,
try logging on to your service provider, send a <CR> or two (there's
some "flexibility" <g> in the protocol), and watch for the terminal to
come back with "ID=".  When it does this, send a "M".  The terminal
should come back with an "Enter Pager Number <CR>" or words to that
effect.  Send the PIN for the pager of interest.  The terminal should
come back with a "Enter Message", again, or words to that effect.
Enter your message (length dependent on the service provider in
question), then follow the prompts for log-off.  (BTW, you should be
set for 300 BAUD and 7E1.)

The message ambiguity is, again, due to the "flexibility" in TAP.

  > How does the automatic hand-shaking version differ?

Like this ... after the paging terminal comes back with "ID=", you
send "<ESC>PG1<CR>" (where <> indicates the hex value for a character).

All terminal responses from this point on may contain an optional
message but are supposed to terminate with a <CR><ACK><CR> in the
perfect path.

   Sending App                Terminal

   <ESC>PG1<CR> ====> <==== <CR><ACK><CR> Logon accepted or
                            <CR><NAK><CR> Requested again or
                            <CR><ESC><EOT><CR> Forced disconnect

                      <==== <ESC> [p <CR>

   <STX>Field1<CR>Field2<CR><ETX>CheckSum<CR>
                ====>

   Where Field1 is the PIN and Field2 is the first message block (up to 230
   characters depending on the service).

The checksum is computed by performing the simple arithmetic sum of
the 7-bit values of all characters preceding it in that block
(including the <STX> and <ETX>) The checksum is then the least
significant 12 bits of this resulting sum. (The checksum is
transmitted as 3 printable ASCII characters having values between 30h
and 3Fh (the characters 0123456789:;<=>?).  The least significant 4
bits of the sum are encoded as the 4 LSB of the third character.

Here's an example that uses a three digit PIN ...

  <STX>123<CR>ABC<CR><ETX>17;<CR>

     Field1  Field2    Checksum

  Looked at a different way ..

          STX     0000    0010
          1       0011    0001
          2       0011    0010
          3       0011    0011
          CR      0000    1101
          A       0100    0001
          B       0100    0010
          C       0100    0011
          CR      0000    1101
          ETX     0000    0011

                 10111    1011
          1       0111    1011

    HEX  $1         $7      $B
 ASCII 31(1)      37(7)   3B(;)

 Giving a checksum transmitted as the ASCII characters 17;

Again, to compute the 3 checksum characters to transmit, take the 12
LSB's of the checksum and transmit 4 bits at a time in a byte, where
the upper 4 bits are always 3, thereby, making the character
transmitted ASCII format.


                   <====     <CR><ACK><CR>  OK, send next block or
                             <CR><NAK><CR>  Checksum or transmission error,
                                            send last block again or
                             <CR><RS><CR>   Abandon current transaction and
                                            go to next or
                             <CR><ESC><EOT><CR> begin disconnect.

  <EOT><CR>        ====>                    no more transactions, sent after
                                            the <ACK> or <RS> response.

If you get this to work on your service provider's system, be aware
that other systems may or may not work due to variations in manufacturer
implementation s mostly tied to the disconnect sequence and/or the
optional message content.

There are also extended block modes that'll allow you to send multi-block
messages."

Good luck.


Bob

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

Date: Sun, 18 Dec 1994 16:45:50 MST
From: Daryl Gibson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Caller-ID With Call-Waiting


The call insert that USWest is sending about caller ID with call
waiting notes that additional hardware is needed to access it, but
that you will be able to see the number *while* you're still on the
line with the first caller, so you can decide whether or not to
interrupt your call.

Could it be that they'll frequency-shift the information to an
inaudible level, and provide a device that fits between the phone line
and the caller ID box, that will downshift the information to what the
box is expecting?

On a different note, does anyone know of a source for old public phones?

Not the reproductions, but the old WE models (Automatic Electric
accepted in a pinch). I have a friend who wants an old phone to go
with his old cord board, and the phone booth he's constructed in his
new home.


Daryl
[phone]      [phone]
[e-mail]    [e-mail]

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

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 01:33:51 GMT
From: John O. Harris <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Caller-ID With Call-Waiting


[e-mail] wrote:

> I received an over-sized post card from US West a few weeks ago
> announcing that persons with Caller-ID will be able to see
> numbers/names of people nationwide starting mid-1995.  It was also
> mentioned that Caller-ID would work with call-waiting; if you're on
> the phone and get the call-waiting beep, you'd also see who was
> calling you so you could "decide whether it's worth switching to the
> other call."  My question is: how is this implemented.  I'd hate to
> think that I'm going to have a 1200 baud data burst come roaring over
> the line while I'm trying to talk.  Anyone know anything more about
> how this?

The new service is called CIDCW (Caller ID on Call Waiting) by
Bellcore.  It needs a new telephone set that responds to a new call
waiting tone.

Instead of the usual beep to indicate call waiting, you get a special
dual tone around 2650 Hz and 2820 Hz.  The new telephone recognizes
the special tone and mutes the talking and listening paths in the
telephone set; your talking doesn't mess up the CND transmission, and
you don't get blasted in the ear.  After the telephone has muted, it
sends a tone back to the Central Office saying it's okay to send CND.
The tone the telephone sends to the Central Office is a DTMF A, from
the fourth column of a military dial, so people won't send it
accidently from a regular telephone set.

I haven't seen any telephone sets that can do CIDCW yet, but I suspect
Northern Telecom has the capability in one of their VISTA telephones.
BEL-Tronics (they make the talking Caller ID box that rejects anonymous
calls) plans to announce one at the CES show in January.

Of course, I haven't seen a Central Office that could provide CIDCW
either.


JoH

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

From: [e-mail] (Glenn Foote)
Subject: Re: Idea: Residential Always Gets CID; Business Blockable?
Date: 19 Dec 1994 01:51:08 -0500
Organization: The Greater Columbus Freenet


John Levine ([e-mail]) wrote:

> Very few people want to remain anonymous when calling a residence.
> But since we're talking aboud Calling Number ID, anonymity has little
> to do with it.  It doesn't ID the caller, it IDs the line from which
> the call is placed.  Can you really say that you never, ever, make a
> call when it's none of the callee's business where you're calling
> from?

> The standard example is a doctor whose answering service screens the
> calls but returns patients' calls from home when they call evenings
> and weekends.

> Or you're a lawyer or consultant visiting client A, and you use the
> phone to call client B to let them know you're coming over.

Or when you are calling from a secure area, like the inside of a
computer room, PBX room, the modem line attached to your computer,
your cellular phone, (all which might wind up in anyone's data base as
a good place to 'find' you.)

The idea of 'who" is calling is great ... unfortunately Caller ID
doesn't deliver the 'who' only the 'where' ... and that IS private.

Sometime ago, about ten years I think, Seimens was demonstrating their NEW
(at the time) Central Office equipment.  Caller ID was part of the system. A
very interesting feature allowed the caller to change the ID of the line
he was using by inserting a magnetic card (or chip) into the set.  This
chip then sent the CALLER's ID instead of the phone's.

It seems they might have been a little ahead of the curve on this one.


Glenn L Foote ...... [e-mail]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #454
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Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #455

TELECOM Digest     Mon, 19 Dec 94 13:28:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 455

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Broadband PCS Update (Bob Keller)
    GTE <--> Bell Atlantic (703) SS7 Enabled (Ken Clark)
    Telecommunications Museum in Sweden (Anders Englund)
    Telecom Textbooks Wanted (David P. Wiltzius)
    Telecom/Dcom Equipment For Sale (Scott Tinch)
    Needed: BRI Test Equipment Leads (Charles Purwin)
    Information Wanted on Intelsat (Dirk Spiegeleer)
    Wireless PBX Wanted ([e-mail])

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
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----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 10:03:29 EST
From: Bob Keller <[e-mail]>
Subject: Broadband PCS Update


    CONTENTS
    ========

    A.  AUCTION ADVANCES TO STAGE II
    B.  CURRENT HIGH BID STANDIGNS
    C.  THIS WEEK'S BIDDING SCHEDULE
    D.  THREE PIONEER PREFERENCE PCS APPLICATIONS GRANTED


    A.  AUCTION ADVANCES TO STAGE II
    ================================

    On Thursday, December 15, at the beginning of Round 12, the
auction of Broadband PCS Spectrum Blocks A and B advanced from Stage I
to Stage II.  This announcement came after three consecutive rounds in
which high bids increased on less than 10% of the spectrum being
auctioned. The shift apparently had the intended effect of increasing
bidding activity--in the first round of Stage II there were 24 new
high bids on 27% of the total MHz-pops in the auction (as compared to
new high bids on only 1.7% of the MHz-pops in the last round of Stage
I bidding).

    During Stage II each bidder must remain active on two-thirds of
the MHz-pops for which it is eligible to bid, or have its eligibility
level reduced accordingly. (During Stage I the activity ratio is only
one-third.) A bidder is deemed "active" on a particular licenses if it
has the high bid from the previous round or submits a bid on the
license in the current round that increases the high bid by the
minimum bidding increment. At the end of last week's bidding, two
applicants (Windsong Communications, Inc. and Data Link One, Inc.)
have withdrawn from the bidding, while the remaining 28 applicants
have maintained full eligibility.

    At a press conference held after the FCC Open Meeting on Thursday,
Regina Keeney, Chief of the newly-established Wireless Telecommunications
Bureau, discounted suggestions that the shift to Stage II indicates
that the auction is going to end much sooner than the Commission had
originally projected.  She stated that there is no way of knowing how
much longer the auction will last.

    Ms. Keeney also discounted reporters' assertions that the current
bid levels indicate that the broadband spectrum is netting less than
the Commission had initially anticipated. Ms.  Keeney said it is too
early to know what the final bidding totals will be. Reflecting
statements made earlier in the day and over the past few weeks by FCC
Chairman Reed Hundt, Keeney denied that the FCC has attempted to
estimate the amount the auction would bring in. It had been reported
that the Administration expected the auction to raise $10 Billion.
Chairman Hundt, stating that the FCC has never made auction revenue
projections, explained that the $10 Billion estimate derived from an
administration budget scoring process wherein it was predicted that,
over a five year period, the total raised from all auctions of all
spectrum will be approximately $10 Billion.  The current bidding total
for the Broadband MTA auction is $1,120,218,334 (see Current High Bid
Standings, below) and the Commission has already raised approximately
$1.5 Billion in previous auctions.


    B.  CURRENT HIGH BID STANDIGNS
    ==============================

    Here are the high bid standings at the end of last week's bidding
(Round 14):

FCC BROADBAND PCS AUCTION
AUCTION ID: 4
ROUND: 14
GENERATED: December 16, 1994  AT: 11:00:21

THESE REPRESENT THE "HIGH" BIDS AFTER BID WITHDRAWAL

MRKT  FREQ  BID AMT    NAME                            FCC ACCT

M001   B    187516111  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M002   B     57437000  Pacific Telesis Mobile Service  0943212312
M003   A     25500483  GTE Macro Communications Corpo  0582107997
M003   B     28304050  PCS PRIMECO, L.P.               2022933800
M004   A     87019857  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M004   B     72419000  Pacific Telesis Mobile Service  0943212312
M005   A     18002000  AT&T Wireless PCS Inc.          0223330080
M005   B     16015984  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M006   A     19051000  AT&T Wireless PCS Inc.          0223330080
M006   B      9800000  BellSouth Personal Communicati  0582067615
M007   A     15568040  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M007   B     10469690  PCS PRIMECO, L.P.               2022933800
M008   A     39708000  American Portable Telecommunic  0391706857
M008   B     35724070  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M009   A     22766000  AT&T Wireless PCS Inc.          0223330080
M009   B     26783244  Southwestern Bell Mobile Syste  0751905705
M010   B     30667001  GTE Macro Communications Corpo  0582107997
M011   A      4165250  AT&T Wireless PCS Inc.          0223330080
M011   B      6942085  Powertel PCS Partners, L.P.     2056449400
M012   A      3592483  GTE Macro Communications Corpo  0582107997
M012   B      3592000  ALAACR Communications, Inc.     0911658059
M013   A     10728000  PCS PRIMECO, L.P.               2022933800
M013   B     11676000  American Portable Telecommunic  0391706857
M014   A     17730897  PCS PRIMECO, L.P.               2022933800
M014   B     20740359  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M015   A     17467001  PCS PRIMECO, L.P.               2022933800
M015   B     14041020  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M016   A      7913678  American Portable Telecommunic  0391706857
M016   B      3500000  Ameritech Wireless Communicati  0363982954
M017   A      9964300  Powertel PCS Partners, L.P.     2056449400
M017   B      7920505  PCS PRIMECO, L.P.               2022933800
M018   A      2829999  AT&T Wireless PCS Inc.          0223330080
M018   B      2829483  GTE Macro Communications Corpo  0582107997
M019   A      8405060  PCS PRIMECO, L.P.               2022933800
M019   B      7835000  AT&T Wireless PCS Inc.          0223330080
M020   A      3179000  AT&T Wireless PCS Inc.          0223330080
M020   B      5677000  PCS PRIMECO, L.P.               2022933800
M021   A       410277  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M021   B      2666798  CCI Data, Inc.                  0133775262
M022   A     13328100  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M022   B     12656987  American Portable Telecommunic  0391706857
M023   A     18320959  Cox Cable Communications, Inc.  0582112281
M023   B     17423317  Southwestern Bell Mobile Syste  0751905705
M024   A      7310000  Pacific Telesis Mobile Service  0943212312
M024   B      9314389  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M025   A      6523000  AT&T Wireless PCS Inc.          0223330080
M025   B      7500000  Centennial Cellular Corp.       0061242753
M026   A      2133989  AT&T Wireless PCS Inc.          0223330080
M026   B      3134080  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M027   A      7547000  Pacific Telesis Mobile Service  0943212312
M027   B      6670000  American Portable Telecommunic  0391706857
M028   A      7690300  Powertel PCS Partners, L.P.     2056449400
M028   B      6930449  Southwestern Bell Mobile Syste  0751905705
M029   A      5206060  PCS PRIMECO, L.P.               2022933800
M029   B      6009300  Powertel PCS Partners, L.P.     2056449400
M030   A      7672000  ALAACR Communications, Inc.     0911658059
M030   B      6978000  PCS PRIMECO, L.P.               2022933800
M031   A      9784583  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M031   B      9408080  PCS PRIMECO, L.P.               2022933800
M032   A      3637006  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M032   B      3000010  Western PCS Corporation         0911658114
M033   A      1800010  Western PCS Corporation         0911658114
M033   B      3584000  PCS PRIMECO, L.P.               2022933800
M034   A       291330  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M034   B       291483  GTE Macro Communications Corpo  0582107997
M035   A      1666228  AT&T Wireless PCS Inc.          0223330080
M035   B      1666483  GTE Macro Communications Corpo  0582107997
M036   A      1550000  ALAACR Communications, Inc.     0911658059
M036   B      3000010  Western PCS Corporation         0911658114
M037   A      9170000  Comcast Telephony Services II,  2156651700
M037   B      7921000  PCS PRIMECO, L.P.               2022933800
M038   A      1287337  AT&T Wireless PCS Inc.          0223330080
M038   B      1000000  PCS America Limited Partnershi  0061409921
M039   A      3000010  Western PCS Corporation         0911658114
M039   B      1268334  AT&T Wireless PCS Inc.          0223330080
M040   A       205167  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M040   B      1354037  Southwestern Bell Mobile Syste  0751905705
M041   A       187748  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M041   B      2000010  Western PCS Corporation         0911658114
M042   A        88888  MICRO LITHOGRAPHY, INC.         0942787694
M042   B       500000  ALAACR Communications, Inc.     0911658059
M043   A      3502020  PCS PRIMECO, L.P.               2022933800
M043   B      3784867  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M044   A      3133000  AT&T Wireless PCS Inc.          0223330080
M044   B      1750000  BellSouth Personal Communicati  0582067615
M045   A      2157000  Cox Cable Communications, Inc.  0582112281
M045   B      2057000  GCI Communication Corp.         0920072737
M046   A         1000  MICRO LITHOGRAPHY, INC.         0942787694
M046   B        12222  Poka Lambro Telephone Cooperat  0750806646
M047   A      1165000  PCS PRIMECO, L.P.               2022933800
M047   B      1400000  PCS America Limited Partnershi  0061409921
M048   A      2056383  WirelessCo, L.P.                2028287453
M048   B      1800000  Southwestern Bell Mobile Syste  0751905705
M049   A       330000  ALAACR Communications, Inc.     0911658059
M049   B       275022  Satellite Broadcast Network, I  0841184905
M050   A         1000  Poka Lambro Telephone Cooperat  0750806646
M050   B        35200  PCS America Limited Partnershi  0061409921
M051   A       101111  South Seas Satellite Communica  7144994469
M051   B        90100  Communications International C  0911650173
           ----------
 TOTAL =   1120218334


    C.  THIS WEEK'S BIDDING SCHEDULE
    ================================

Bidding will resume on Monday, December 19.  Here is the bidding
schedule for this week, through Round 20 on December 21, after which
there will be a break for the holidays until January 3, 1995:

 FCC MTA Broadband PCS Auction Schedule
 All times are ET

 For December 19, 1994
       Submission   Reports       Withdrawal   Reports
 Round Start  End   Start  End    Start  End   Start  End
   15  09:00-10:30  10:30-10:45   10:45-11:00  11:00-11:15
   16  14:30-16:00  16:00-16:15   16:15-16:30  16:30-16:45

 For December 20, 1994
       Submission   Reports       Withdrawal   Reports
 Round Start  End   Start  End    Start  End   Start  End
   17  09:00-10:30  10:30-10:45   10:45-11:00  11:00-11:15
   18  14:30-16:00  16:00-16:15   16:15-16:30  16:30-16:45

 For December 21, 1994
       Submission   Reports       Withdrawal   Reports
 Round Start  End   Start  End    Start  End   Start  End
   19  09:00-10:30  10:30-10:45   10:45-11:00  11:00-11:15
   20  14:30-16:00  16:00-16:15   16:15-16:30  16:30-16:45

As always, this schedule is subject to change by the FCC.


    D.  THREE PIONEER PREFERENCE PCS APPLICATIONS GRANTED
    =====================================================

    On December 14, 1994 the Commission released a Memorandum Opinion
and Order (FCC 94-318) granting the 2 GHz Broadband PCS applications
for Block A (30 MHz) licenses to American Personal Communications
(APC) for the Washington/Baltimore MTA, to Cox Cable Communications,
Inc. (Cox) for the Los Angeles/San Diego MTA, and to Omnipoint
Communications, Inc.  (Omnipoint) for the New York MTA.

    By way of historical background, the Commission tentatively
granted pioneer's preferences in October of 1992 to APC for its
development and demonstration of PCS/microwave spectrum sharing
technologies, to Cox for its development and demonstration of
PCS/cable plant interface technology, and to Omnipoint for its
development of 2 GHz PCS equipment. In December of 1993 the Commission
granted final pioneers' preferences to these three and determined
that, assuming they were otherwise qualified, each would be licensed
to operate Block A systems in an assigned market, as follows:

 MTA    Market           Applicant

 MOO1   New York         Omnipoint Communications, Inc.
 MOO2   L.A.-San Diego   Cox Cable Communications, Inc.
 M010   Wash.-Balto.     American Personal Communications

    These license grants are subject to several conditions, including
(1) that each licensee construct a system in the specified MTA
substantially using the technology on which its pioneers' preference
was based, (2) that each licensee retain control for at least three
years after initial licensing or until it has met its five-year
build-out requirement, and (3) that each licensee meet the pay to the
US Treasury an amount equal to 85% of the adjusted value of the
license. Payments will be made over a five year period.

    The amount to be paid by the pioneers' preference grantees, long a
matter of much controversy, was recently specified by Congress as part
of the GATT legislation which was signed into law by the President on
December 8, 1994. Essentially, the statute requires each of the three
pioneers to pay 85% of the adjusted value of its license. The adjusted
value will be calculated as follows: At the conclusion of the current
Broadband auctions, the FCC will determine the average per pop price
for the 20 largest MTAs other than the three in question, and then
apply that per pop average to the three MTAs.

    Interestingly, however, the Commission is required to collect a
minimum of $400 Million. If the amount derived by applying the
adjustment formula minus 85% is less than $400 Million, the difference
is to be spread over the three markets in question on the basis of
their relative population. This is apparently based on the assumption
that New York, LA/San Diego, and Washington/Baltimore are worth $400
Million even if the average value of the 20 other largest MTAs is
less. The total high bids for the Block B licenses in these three
markets currently stands at approximately $276 Million. Some very
interesting questions will be raised (and legal and political battles
most likely launched) if the auction closes with those three markets
at less than $400 Million.


Robert J. Keller, P.C.            Internet: [e-mail]
Federal Telecommunications Law    Telephone:  [phone]
4200 Wisconsin Ave NW #106-261    Facsimile:  [phone]
Washington, DC 20016-2143  USA    CompuServe UID:  76100,3333

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

From: [e-mail] (KJCLARK63)
Subject: GTE <--> Bell Atlantic (703) SS7 Enabled
Date: 19 Dec 1994 09:19:09 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Reply-To: [e-mail] (KJCLARK63)


Effective at 12:01 am on Saturday December 17th, SS7 was enabled
between Bell Atlantic and GTE (nee Contel) Virginia in the 703 area
code.

The upgrade did not go well for the Bell Atlantic people as some lines
in the effected COs (Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax Counties)
suffered outages for about an hour.

For most of 1994, SS7 had been enabled on intra-LATA trunks between
GTE Virginia (703) and Bell Atlantic in the 202 (DC) and 301 (MD) area
codes.  However, it was not until this weekend that the trunks
carrying band four and band six calls *within* the 703 area code were
upgraded to SS7.

This was an interesting situation where calling number ID was
concerned.  A GTE subscriber could receive a long distance call from
the 202 or 301 area codes and receive the number, while a local
extended area (band 4 or 6) call from a mile away would be received as
an "out of area" call.  All this changed last night.

In typical GTE fashion, a call to their business office last month
found no one there aware that intra-LATA calls had supported SS7 for
several months.  It will probably take several more months for them to
realize that the extended area trunks are now also so equipped.


Ken Clark    [e-mail]   Manassas, VA

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

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 15:33:04 +0100
From: [e-mail] (Anders Englund)
Subject: Telecommunications Museum in Sweden


Telemuseum has newly been connected to Internet. We are not fully in
business yet, but we hope to have our own web in the beginning of
1995. We want to give you the following information about our museum.

The history of telecommunications -- from beacon fires to today's
global digital telecommunications network -- is on display at The
Telecommunications Museum where 4000 square metres are devoted to
depicting developments in telecommunications within the fields of
telegraphy, telephony, radio and television.

The basis of the Museum's collections was laid in 1853 with the
Telegraph Administration's model collection. In 1975, the Museum moved
to the rebuilt stables of the Dragoons of the Life Guard Regiment at
Norra Djurg.

In the archive and library of the Telecommunications Museum, the
holdings include a complete series of the national telephone
directories available on microfilm and a comprehensive collection of
picture material. Books and souvenirs can be purchased at the Museum
shop.

The Telecommunications Museum welcomes school classes and adult groups
for guided tours and study visits. Please contact the teaching staff
for information and booking (phone [phone]).

Location: Together with the National Museum of Science and Technology,
Museiv=E4gen 7, Stockholm, Sweden.
Postal address: P.O. Box 27842   S-115 93 Stockholm
Telephone int: [phone]
=46ax int: [phone]
Opening Hours: weekdays 10.00-16.00, Saturday and Sundays 12.00-16.00
Archive and library: weekdays 10.00-13.00

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

From: [e-mail] (David P Wiltzius)
Subject: Telecom Textbooks Wanted
Date: 19 Dec 1994 00:17:15 GMT
Organization: Lawrence Livermore Nat'l Lab.


I've hit a few bookstores looking for some telecommunication
textbooks, hoping to find one or a few books that could provide me
with a basic understanding of existing and emerging telecommunication
technologies (e.g. SONET).

As just one example, I would like to completely understand the
following statement that appeared in the latest issue of Telephony:
"VT (virtual tributary) multiplexers simplify the multiplexing process
by directly mapping DS-1s into VT1.5s and, in turn, into synchronous
payload envelopes (SPEs) and STS-1s without going through the
traditional DS-2 and DS-3 levels."

I come from a data communications background, and I feel the urge to
understand the technologies of the telecommunication's industry.  Your
help is appreciated.  PS: I've got pointers to lots of info online,
but much of the interesting/recent information assumes a thorough
understanding of the basics.

Replies by email would be most appreciated -- I'll post a summary if
requested and I get replies.  Thanks!


Dave Wiltizus
Lawrence Livermore Nat'l Lab
[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Scott Tinch)
Subject: Telecom/Dcom Equipment For Sale
Date: 19 Dec 1994 05:18:05 -0500
Organization: Tallahassee Free-Net


I have the following equipment for sale:

Used:
1- MCI Advantage NAC-4 Network Access Computer w/power supply
1- MCI Advantage Model DSC-1 w/power supply
1- Meisei Elec. Co. Reliant 16 (MK-6A Telephone System) computer
   w/power supply

New:
1- Sequel Data Communications 36 port statistical mux (AMD/Intel cpu)
7- Sequel Data Communications 12 port line cards (AMD/Intel cpu)

Would prefer to sell as a whole, but will consider offers on
individual pieces. Buyer pays half shipping. Since I have no use for
any of this, I'm willing to part with it very cheaply. MAKE ME AN
OFFER! Please reply via e-mail.


Thanks,

Scott
[e-mail]   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Charles Purwin)
Subject: Needed: BRI Test Equipment Leads
Date: 19 Dec 94 13:02:43 -0500
Organization: University of Massachusetts Lowell


I am working on a project that needs BRI test equipment.  The problem
I am running into , is finding any equipment to run BABT testing.  The
BABT fuctional tests for BRI equipment requires BERT testing using
PRBS of 2^15 -1 sequence.  (If i remember correctly) Either way, I am
looking for manufacturers of BRI equipement that will count out on
BERT errors.  So that I can test / prove that our equipment does not
excessively error out at certain paramters.  (BERT= bit error rate
testing, PRBS pseudo random bit sequence)

I would appreciate any name or phone leads to companies that make BRI
equipment.


Thanks,

Charles Purwin    NEW Internet: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (SPIEGELEER DIRK)
Subject: Information Wanted on Intelsat
Date: 19 Dec 1994 14:23:03 GMT
Organization: Brussels Free Universities (VUB/ULB), Belgium


Can somebody give me some information about the current projects
organized by Intelsat in the Third World, and the results these
projects realize.


Thank you,

[e-mail] (DIRK SPIEGELEER)
Student Communicatiewetenschappen
Vrije Universiteit Brussel

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

From: [e-mail] (say,h sabit)
Subject: Wireless PBX Wanted
Date: 19 Dec 1994 14:13:31 -0500
Organization: Bell Communications Research (Bellcore)


I am looking for technical and other information (manufacturers and
distributors) on Wireless PBXs.  I am especially interested in
something that could interface to 2-8 outside lines and provide
"cordless phone" service in a building to 4 to 64 users.

Thanks for any help.

Sabit   [e-mail]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #455
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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
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Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #456

TELECOM Digest     Mon, 19 Dec 94 22:49:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 456

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Help Converting V&H Coordinates to Longitude and Latitude (G. Torrie)
    Re: Help Converting V&H Coordinates to Longitude and Latitude (Eric Ziemer)
    Re: Rochester Telephone's Open Market Plan (Jim Craven)
    Re: Caller-ID With Call-Waiting (Jeffrey Rhodes)
    Re: T3 Framing Standard (Wally Ritchie)
    Re: T3 Framing Standard ([e-mail])
    Re: T3 Framing Standard (Jim Burkit)
    Re: Channelling Phone Line Through a Leased Line (John Lundgren)
    Re: Information Wanted: Pulse Rate in India (H. Shrikumar)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
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Subscriptions are available at no charge to qualified organizations
and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify:

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as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help
is important and appreciated.

All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Subject: Re: Help Converting V&H Coordinates to Longitude and Latitude
From: [e-mail] (Gordon Torrie)
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 10:35:29 -0500
Organization: Torrie Communication Services


C. Edward Chow <[e-mail]> writes:

> I am working on a project that needs to convert switching
> nodes' locations expressed in terms of V&H coordinates to those
> in Longitude and Latitude coordinates.  I checked with
> telecommunications references in the library but can not find
> the definition of telephone network V&H coordinates.  Can
> someone help pointing to the right references or explain it?

Here are four messages which have appeared in comp.dcom.telecom in the
past and which describe how to perform the V&H <=> Lat./Long.
conversions including source code routines in C and Fortran.


  From: Thomas B. Libert <[e-mail]>
  Subject: Re: H & V Distance Computing Algorithm Wanted
  Date: Sun, 26 Sep 93 14:43:23 EDT
  Reply-To: [e-mail]
  Organization: Computing Solutions Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan
  X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 13, Issue 666, Message 8 of 16

The H & V numbers are computed from the Donald Elliptical projection,
a two-point equidistant projection designed by Jay K. Donald of AT&T
around 1956.  The projection allows you to use the simple cartesian
distance formula to compute a reasonably good approximation for the
true distance.  Just compute sqrt((h2 - h1)^2 + (v2 - v1)^2), and
multiply by a scale factor (ten miles?  something like that.)


  From: [e-mail]
  Subject: Re: H & V Distance Computing Algorithm Wanted
  Date: Sun, 26 Sep 93 22:33:32 PDT
  X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 13, Issue 666, Message 9 of 16

Jimmy Gauvin ([e-mail]) writes:

> Can somebody please tell me how to calculate the distance between two
> NPA-NXXs given their H & V coordinates?

The following is the answer in two forms:

1. as a text statement:

D = Square Root of (((V1 - V2)squared + (H1 - H2)squared)/10) where D
is in miles and V and H are values in the V and H Coordinate System.

For example the distance from San Diego ( 9462 7632)
   to San Franciso (8493 8717) is: 460.02,
   to Sacramento (8303 8581) is: 473.70,
   to Los Angles (9213 7878) is: 110.69.

2. as a C program:
/*
 * This program computes distance in miles between
 * two points given their V and H coordinates.
 *
 */

#include <stdio.h>
#include <math.h>

main()
{
    float D;
    int V1, V2, H1, H2;

while ( 1 == 1)
    {

    printf( "enter V and H for first point:\n" );
    scanf( "%i%i", &V1, &H1 );
    printf( "enter V and H for second point:\n" );
    scanf( "%i%i", &V2, &H2 );

    D = sqrt((pow ((V1-V2), 2) + pow ((H1-H2), 2) ) / 10 );

    printf( "Distance in miles =  %7.2f \n", D);
    printf (" \n");

    }
}

         ------------- tear here ----------------

Good luck,
Stuart Jeffery    415-966-8199


  Subject: V & H FORTRAN Routines
  Date: Jul 01 1990
  From: [e-mail]

The following routines were mentioned by Jim Riddle in a recent Digest
article.  The response has already been substantial; however, Jim has
no easy way of sending files through the Internet.

Since several people have already responded, perhaps you couuld run
them in the Digest or mention they are available wherever you put them
in the archives?

C     TO CONVERT EITHER EARTH-CENTERED TO LAT/LON OR VICE VERSA
      SUBROUTINE M2CONV (OPT,NUMPTS,LATS,LONS,XLAIST,YLIST,ZLIST)
      INTEGER*4 OPT,NUMPTS,I
      REAL*8    LATS(NUMPTS),LONS(NUMPTS),THETA,PHI,DTR
      REAL*8    XLIST(NUMPTS),YLIST(NUMPTS),ZLIST(NUMPTS)
      PI=3.141592653589793238462643
      DTR=PI/180.
      IF (OPT .EQ. 1) THEN
         DO FOR I = 1,NUMPTS
            THETA = LONS(I) * DTR
            PHI = (90.0D+0 - LATS(I)) * DTR
            XLIST(I) = DCOS(THETA) * DSIN(PHI)
            YLIST(I) = DSIN(THETA) * DSIN(PHI)
            ZLIST(I) = DCOS(PHI)
         ENDDO
      ELSEIF (OPT .EQ. 2) THEN
         DO FOR I = 1,NUMPTS
            LATS(I) = 90.0D+0 - DACOS(ZLIST(I)) / DTR
            IF (XLIST(I) .EQ. 0.0D+0) THEN
               IF (YLIST(I) .LT. 0.0D0+0) THEN
                  LONS(I) = -90.0D+0
               ELSE
                  LONS(I) = 90.0D0+0
               ENDIF
            ELSE
               LONS(I) = DATAN(YLIST(I)/XLIST(I)) / DTR
               IF (XLIST(I) .LT. 0.0D0+0) THEN
                  IF (YLIST(I) .LT. 0.0D0+0) THEN
                     LONS(I) = LONS(I) - 180.0D0+0
                  ELSE
                     LONS(I) = LONS(I) + 180.0D0+0
                  ENDIF
               ENDIF
            ENDIF
         ENDDO
      ENDIF
      END

      SUBROUTINE LLAXYZ(LAT,LON,ALT,Y,Y,Z)
C  SUBROUTINE TO CALCULATE ECI FROM LAT/LON/ALT
C
C  RE IS RADIUS OF THE EARTH
C  RE = 3437.5 NAUTICAL MILES MORE OR LESS
C  1 NAUTICAL MILE = 1852 METERS (EXACT)
C  1 STATUTE MILE = 1609.344 METERS (EXACT)
C  SUBROUTINE _DOES_ REQUIRE ALTITUDE -- CHECK THE LOCAL AIRPORT (!)
C INPUT REQUIRED IS LAT, LON, ALT OF POINT AND RETURNS X, Y, Z
C
      REAL LAT,LON,ALT
      RE = 3437.75
C     RE = 3437.75 * 1.852 FOR KILOMETERS
C     RE = 3437.75 * 1.852/1609.344 FOR STATUTE MILES
C     ON MOST MACHINES YOU MAY WANT TO GO DOUBLE PRECISION, BY THE WAY
      RANGE = RE + ALT
      CLAT = COS(LAT)
      SLAT = SIN(LAT)
      CLON = COS(LON)
      SLON = SIN(LON)
      Z = RANGE * SLAT
      X = RANGE * CLAT * CLON
      Y = RANGE * CLAT * SLON
      RETURN
      END

C     CONVERTS LAT AND LONG TO EUCLIDEAN COORDINATES
      SUBROUTINE M2EUCL
      REAL*4 DEGRAD, PI, ECLX(N), ECLY(N), ECLZ(N)
      REAL*4 LOND(N), LATD(N)
      INTEGER*4 NUMPTS,I
      PI=3.141592653589793238462643
      DEGRAD = PI/180.
      DO FOR I = 1,NUMPTS
         ECLX(I) = COS(LOND(I)*DEGRAD)*COS(LATD(I)*DEGRAD)
         ECLY(I) = SIN(LOND(I)*DEGRAD)*COS(LATD(I)*DEGRAD)
         ECLZ(I) = SIN(LATD(I)*DEGRAD)
      ENDDO
      RETURN
      END

      SUBROUTINE M2DIST(XPT,YPT,ZPT,NUMLST)
      INTEGER*4 NUMLST,N,INDEX
C     CALCULATE DISTANCES (GREAT CIRCLE) FROM A LIST OF POINTS TO
C     A FOCAL POINT
C     XPT, YPT, ZPT ARE X, Y, Z COORDINATES OF THE FOCAL POINT
C     XLST, YLST, ZLST ARE LISTS OF X, Y AND Z COORDINATES
C     RADIUS IS RADIUS OF THE EARTH
      REAL*4
      XPT,YPT,ZPT,CSQRED,CTHETA,XLST(N),YLST(N),ZLST(N),DLST(N)
      DO FOR INDEX = 1, NUMLST
         CSQRED = (XLST(INDEX) - XPT)**2 + (YLST(INDEX) - YPT)**2 +
     1   (ZLST(INDEX) - ZPT)**2
         CTHETA = 1.0 - CSQRED/2.0
         DLST(INDEX) = ACOS(CTHETA) * RADIUS
      ENDDO
      RETURN
      END

 --- Ybbat (DRBBS) 8.9 v. 3.11 r.3
[1:285/27@fidonet] The Inns of Court 402/593-1192 (1:285/27.0)


  Subject: Comments For V & H FORTRAN Routines
  Date: Jul 01 1990
  From: [e-mail]

[Moderator's Note: This message was intended to accompany the V&H
Fortran routines which appeared in Digest # 458 early Wedensday.
Unfortunately it was delayed in transmission and arrived here
later. PT]

The file in the accompanying message contains the routines I
mentioned.  It contains several Fortran subroutines which should be
quasi-obvious to implment.  If you don't code Fortran, you can
probably understand then from either BASIC or Pascal; if you can't
comprehend the math involved, then you may be in over your head
already.

When using the coordinate system, it is NOT necessary that you have
the same X-Y grid as the phone company so long as you are using
statute miles, nautical miles, furlongs, picometers or whatever
consistent with their distancing measurement.  The most convienent way
to do it is probably to use real-Earth latitudes and longtitudes and
PAY ATTENTION TO WHICH ROUTINES USE DEGREES AND WHICH ARE IN RADIANS.

If you really want a polished, finished product, I really can't comply
as I am under some conflict of interest restrictions (sounds nebulous
because it is).

Thanks for the bevy of responses I received.

Jim R.

 --- Ybbat (DRBBS) 8.9 v. 3.11 r.3
[1:285/27@fidonet] The Inns of Court 402/593-1192 (1:285/27.0)

 --- Through FidoNet gateway node 1:16/390
[e-mail]

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

[e-mail]   Gord Torrie

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

From: [e-mail] (Eric Ziemer)
Subject: Re: Help Converting V&H Coordinates to Longitude and Latitude
Date: 19 Dec 1994 23:31:42 -0600
Organization: Chicago's First Public-Access Internet!


[e-mail] wrote:

> In <[e-mail]>, C. Edward Chow <[e-mail].
> uccs.edu> writes:

>> I am working on a project that needs to convert switching nodes'
>> locations expressed in terms of V&H coordinates to those in
>> Longitude and Latitude coordinates.  I checked with telecommunications
>> references in the library but can not find the definition of telephone
>> network V&H coordinates.  Can someone help pointing to the right
>> references or explain it?  Thanks.

> As I recall the V&H system is based on the overlay of an orthogonal
> grid on a equal area projection of North America. This map projection
> results in equal map distance between all points that are equal by
> great circle distance. The grid is rotated about 30% from the map
> north/south. As I recall the numeric values are such that 16 bit fixed
> point arithmetic is convenient for calculations of distance which work
> out to abount .1 mile.

: As you probably know by now you will need to know the exact type of
: equal area projection used by the system and its reference points. The
: conversion is trivial from V&H to map space and a bit complex from map
: space to Lat & Log.

  The formulas that I've seen all convert L&L to some units not
identical with V&H.  They also required an elevation (radius vector)
as a third element.  The X, Y, Z formulas I found were:
  X=RAD * COS(LAT) * COS(LONG)
  Y=RAD * COS(LAT) * SIN(LONG)
  Z=RAD * SIN(LAT)
  Where RAD=radius of the earth plus the location altitude (in the same
units, of course).  The radius used was 3956.1 miles, I believe.


Eric R. Ziemer  [e-mail]
or  [e-mail]   Chicago, IL

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

From: [e-mail] (J Craven)
Subject: Re: Rochester Telephone's Open Market Plan
Date: 19 Dec 1994 19:42:00 GMT
Organization: Eastman Kodak Company


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail].
edu (Robert Levandowski) writes:

> I'd agree that it sounds like a swift way for RochTel to get a cut of
> all the competition, except for one wildcard. As of this summer,
> Greater Rochester Cablevision finished rewiring its entire
> distribution network with fiber-optic cable.  GRC has announced its

Rob,

With regard to this whole change, doesn't this allow Roctel to enter
the cable market without PUC oversight? (i.e., Roctel is no longer a
monopoly, therefore they don't need PUC approval for service changes?)
I think I remember reading somewhere that the "Great Benefit" to the
consumer is a competetive, open market.  But isn't the real benefit to
Roctel since they can now enter several other markets without
interference from PUC?

Also, if they had not gone "competetive" what would stop GRC from
becoming phone service providers anyway?  I'll admit to being cynical
about any utility doing something in my interest.  BUT, if GRC could
provide phone service without PUC approval and Roctel was a monopoly
with PUC oversight, wouldn't Roctel be at a tremendous disadvantage?

Lastly, and I am being cynical again, just how much benefit are we to
gain from this whole rate freeze, lower long distance charge promise.
Isn't it really an admission that they have been overcharging us for
years?  Anybody that feels they can promise a *7 year* rate freeze
must be *real* sure they have enough margin in the cost/profitablity
equasion to cover most of that time.

Above is, obviously IMHO.  (8-}>

I too have to acknowledge receiving good service from Roctel.  I
recently ordered a phone (from NYNEX, I think) at property I own in
Raquette Lake, NY (Adirondacks).  After the phone was installed, I
spent quite a few minutes with operators trying to get a local
directory and find out what the emergency numbers were.  The operator
wasn't sure were I was or why there were four or five different fire
and ambulance numbers listed.  They didn't know where I was because
they were in *Atlanta, GA*.  "Whal, Ahm reel sawry Ah cain't hep
y'all."  The multiple fire number is because they don't have 911 and
any of the numbers will get a member of the department to dispatch
equipment.


Jim

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

From: [e-mail] (Jeffrey Rhodes)
Subject: Re: Caller-ID With Call-Waiting
Date: 19 Dec 1994 21:58:15 GMT
Organization: McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail]


McCaw Cellular (Cellular One) systems will be able to offer Caller-ID
with Call-Waiting on TDMA IS-54 rev B compliant phones next year.  An
Alert With Info message is used for the initial call (five messages
are needed on an analog voice channel but only a single message is
needed on a digital voice channel). Flash With Info message is used
during call-waiting setup.

Subscribers will need to purchase CLIP Calling Line ID Presentation in
order to see unrestricted caller numbers. Without this feature, the
terminal will display "Call" or whatever it displays today without
CLIP.

When the number delivered is restricted, i.e. the caller has the CLIR
feature authorized and active, then the CLIP authorized and active
display will show "Private". Callers with CLIR unauthorized, i.e
"allow the display of my number to a CLIP authorized and active
terminal", or CLIR deactive (deactivated per-call by *82 prefix) will
show the CNI.

When the CPN is not delivered, usually because the IXC carrier drops
it, the CLIP authorized and active terminal will display "No ID" or
"Out of Area".

Incidentally, we prefer to use the terms CNIP and CNIR instead of CLIP
and CLIR. Interstate Calling Number ID will be possible in mid-1995
due to the FCC mandate to deliver CPN which is the Calling Party
Number of ISUP signalling. CPN consists of the ten digit caller's
number preceed by two Presentation Indication bits (00 means "allow"
01 means "restrict").

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: T3 Framing Standard
Date: 19 Dec 1994 03:06:27 GMT
Reply-To: [e-mail]


In <[e-mail]>, Lew Gutman <[e-mail]> writes:

> I'm looking for the standard which defines the frame structure of a T3
> carrier.  I tried to order ANSI T1.103-1987 and T1.103a-1990 from
> ANSI, but they told me that these standards have been removed and
> there is no replacement.

The international standard is ITU-T G.752. You can download this from
the ITU gopher (info.itu.ch).

The historic de-facto US standard was CB-119. This is no longer
available from Bellcore but you might still be able to get it from
AT&T (for a fee, of course). The Bellcore "replacement" is
TR-TSY-000499 which can be had for a mere $153 in ransom.

An alternative Synchronous DS3 Format was defined in Bellcore
TR-TSY-000021 but this document is also no longer available.

DS-3 equipment has historically been designed to CB-119 or G.703 to
meet requirements at the "distribution frame" or "DSX3 Cross Connect".
Generally all DS-3 equipment expects B3ZS format signals at a bit rate
of 44.736 MBPS +- 20 ppm. You can generally pass any signal meeting
these specifications through a DS3 channel (Microwave or FO
multiplex). Framing is an actually an issue for the equipment at each
of the channel which of course must be compatible.

DS3 framing becomes an issue in carrier networks where equipment may
monitor the DS3 streams for performance and may initiate protection
switching when the monitored data indicates a transmission problem.
Such monitoring makes use of the DS3 format and its provision for
parity.

The most general desciption of a DS3 frame is as follows.

The frame structure consists of 4760 bits which are divided into 56
subframes of 85 bits each. The subframes can be arranged in 7 rows of
8 columns each depicted as follows:

X [84] F1[84] C11[84] F0[84] C12[84] F0[84] C13[84] F1[84]
X [84] F1[84] C21[84] F0[84] C22[84] F0[84] C23[84] F1[84]
P [84] F1[84] C31[84] F0[84] C32[84] F0[84] C33[84] F1[84]
P [84] F1[84] C41[84] F0[84] C42[84] F0[84] C43[84] F1[84]
M0[84] F1[84] C51[84] F0[84] C52[84] F0[84] C53[84] F1[84]
M1[84] F1[84] C61[84] F0[84] C62[84] F0[84] C63[84] F1[84]
M0[84] F1[84] C71[84] F0[84] C72[84] F0[84] C73[84] F1[84]

Transmission order is left to right top to bottom.  F1 is a one and F0
is a zero. The F bits define the basic frame structure. The two X bits
must always be the same. The two P bits are also the same and are the
even parity of all the data bits (the [84] bits) in the above format
from the previous frame. M0 is zero and M1 is one. The M bits
establish the multiframe structure.

The interpretation of the C bits and the data bits depends on the
format; SYNTRAN has one interpretation, G.752 (M13 Multiplexor has a
different structure. For G.752 the data bits in each row above
correspond with a DS2 stream. The 8th subframe of each row above
contains a "pulse justification postition" or "stuff bit". For the
first row it is the first bit, for the second row the second bit, etc.
The C bits in a particular row are transmitted all ones to indicate
that stuffing occurs in that row and all zero to indicate no stuffing
has occured. Receivers normally use majority voting. The stuff bit is
in any case included in the parity computation.

Hope this helps!


Wally Ritchie   Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve)
Subject: Re: T3 Framing Standard
Date: 19 Dec 1994 20:42:01 GMT
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, Greenbelt, MD USA


I'm suprised that ANSI doesn't stock current specs for DS3.  I think
Bellcore might have something.  This worked a few months ago:

telnet info.bellcore.com
login as "cat10"  or "CAT10" (I can't recall if it's case sensitive)

This takes you to a search of their techpub catalog.

Take it easy,


Steve

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

Date: 19 Dec 1994 08:27:08 GMT
From: Jim Burkit <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: T3 Framing Standard


Lew Gutman <[e-mail]> wrote:

> I'm looking for the standard which defines the frame structure of a T3
> carrier.  I tried to order ANSI T1.103-1987 and T1.103a-1990 from
> ANSI, but they told me that these standards have been removed and
> there is no replacement.

ANSI is correct.  T1.103 and T1.103a have been withdrawn.  This
standard however was only for the synchronous DS3 format known as
SYNTRAN.  SYNTRAN was not being used by US industry so when the
standard was in its five year review Committee T1 voted to withdraw
it.

Now to your real question.  The standard that controls most of the
format for DS3 signals is T1.107-1988.  In addition, T1.107a-1990 adds
the C-Bit Parity format.  I don't think that T1.107b-1991 adds any DS3
formats I believe that it just adds DS-0 data formats.  Note that
T1.107 has the formats for all of the north american asynchronous
digital hierarchy.

Additional standards that may be of interest are:

        T1.102-1993  Electrical interfaces
        T1.404  Network to Customer Interface.  A new issue was
        approved in 1994 but I am not sure if you can get it at
        this time.

By the way, T1.107 is being revised.  The three T1.107 (a and b)
documents are being put into one.  This revision is currently be voted
on by Committee T1 and the vote will close in January.  If you wish a
copy of the unapproved T1.107 you can ftp to ftp.t1.org and get

/pub/t1x1/3x4-0023.ps   postscript
/pub/t1x1/3x4-0023.ww2  Word for Windows 2.0
/pub/t1x1/3x4-0023.ww6  Word for Windows 6.0 (native version)

I hope this helps.


Jim Burkitt   T1X1 Chair

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

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: Channelling Phone Line Through a Leased Line
Date: 20 Dec 1994 01:41:48 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


Chuck Poole ([e-mail]) wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Greg
> Tompkins) writes:

>> My whole purpose of doing this is to get away from paying LONG
>> DISTANCE CHARGES.  Location A is long distance to/from location B.  I
>> want to have a location A phone line in location B.  I have asked
>> about this before, but others have told me that I need a MUX and a 56k
>> line.  I would like to make this as inexpensive as possible.  The two
>> locations are only 15 miles apart.

> If they are only 15 miles apart, an FX line may be cheaper than a
> leased line and there is no equipment necessary.

In my area, which is Pac Bell, the measured business line costs $17.25
a month, but the FX (Foreign Exchange) lines we have at our other
campus are an *additional* $25 a month, for a total of over $42 a
month.  Not cheap!  But as of Jan 1, the FX rates are going up even
further, to I don't know how much it will be.  And we have over a
hundred lines at that campus, most are FX.  That's a substantial
amount every month.

The FX may not be the choice for you.


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]

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

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 23:23:08 -0500
From: H.Shrikumar <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Information Wanted: Pulse Rate in India
Organization: UMass, Amherst MA + Temporal Systems Bombay India


In article <[e-mail]> was written:

>     I am setting up a modem for a friend of mine in India and the

> 1)    make/break ratio of 39% / 61% and 10 PPS (USA/Canada)
>         [DEFAULT SETTING]
> 2)    make/break ratio of 33% / 67% and 10 PPS (UK/Hong Kong)

I think according to DOT standards [sic] it is supposed to be this
one.

However, I must tip over my salt dumpster here :-)

1. A US modem installed there has practially always worked. And I have
done that with quite a few modems, in quite a few cities and surely
with quite a few exchanges.

2. There is enough tolerance in the exchanges to deal with the above
two at least, I should believe ... speaking entirely from the
knowledge that I have seen some really really creaky phone's with weak
decadic dialer springs, which was so obviously out of whack ... and
the call got thru.

(One of those phones once refused to dial 6 (no pulses on 6, dont know
how that could happen, but it did.) This was one of those old bakelite
moulded ITI phones .. and the hook-button has a nice feel to it, so I
just tapped a brisk 'HI' in morse code when I was to dial '6'. Thats
six pulses -- the call got thru each time. :-)

3. One of the lines at our office tho' is very very wierd. It just
would not dial the right number when we dialed with our modem (a
Multitech 224BAF) -- no matter what pulse ratio the modem was set to.
We tried all settings on two modems -- and even verified the ratio with
a scope.

My morse dialing would always work, as would any phone instrument we
tried. Just not either of the two modems (same model) !!

We are now getting a bunch of Boca modems, so I plan to see if they
work on that line -- would be academically interesting.

4. In theory, it is supposed to be bad manners to set the pulse ratio
to a wrong one. (In some countries, the phone-police will get you :)

But then again, in theory the DoT is supposed to provide something
close to a phone service :-)

5. DoT standards generally is to do polarity reversal on all lines.
DoT standards is to enable only pulse dialling on the lines. But like
all other things-DoT the exception is now the rule.

So many of the newer lines are getting installed and initialised to
whatever seems like the default that the manufacturer put in during
production testing, and "no one cares". The result -- you know you
have a Japanese switch serving you in all likelyhood if your new line
does not do polarity reversal. In fact, MTNL had left DTMF
"accidentally" enabled on some new-fangled smart-card phones in Bombay
 -- some smart alecs found that you could use a DTMF beeper and make
free calls.  (Actaully I wonder if that "accidentally" was not at
least a little non-accidental :-)

Long story short -

Use that which works ... surely one of the 10 PPS settings should
work. Most likley both would.

Good luck !

> 3)    make/break ratio of 33% / 67% and 20 PPS (Japan).

Not this one ... that's for sure.

My morse code is never that fast :-)


shrikumar ( [e-mail], [e-mail],
X.400 G=Shrikumar S=Hariharasubrahmanian P=itu A=arcom C=CH (yea right :)

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

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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
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To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #457

TELECOM Digest     Mon, 19 Dec 94 23:30:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 457

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Roaming Wierdity (Dave Levenson)
    Re: Roaming Wierdity (Randy Shillman)
    Re: Roaming Weirdity (Douglas Reuben)
    Re: PacBell Not Aiming to "Please" (Jeffrey William McKeough)
    Re: PacBell Not Aiming to "Please" (Steve Cogorno)
    Re: 911 From Unactivated Cellphone (Richard Barry)
    Re: T1 + Ethernet -> Fiber (Joseph H. Allen)
    Re: ISDN on DEC Alpha Computers (Martin Farber)
    Re: They Hacked Me! !@#$%^%^$ (Sheldon Kociol)
    Re: They Hacked Me! !@#$%^%^$ (James Holland)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
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should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Dave Levenson)
Subject: Re: Roaming Wierdity
Organization: Westmark, Inc.
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 14:19:07 GMT


Gary Oliver ([e-mail]) writes:

[a description of cellular calls, apparently placed over U.S. West's
network, resulting in call-progress messages from GTE's network]

> Is there something strange going on here with?  Do cellular carriers have
> overlapped IDs at their boundaries?  Seems stupid to me too.

I live on the border between two cellular service providers.  My own
cellular telephone sets are subscribed to one of these providers, but
we routinely cross the border and use the other.  Fortunately, they
are cross-connected to the point where inter-system hand-offs work,
inter-system call delivery works, and no roaming fee is imposed by
either company upon customers of the other.  What this means is that
one can totally ignore the ROAM indicator on the mobile set.  The
system ID randomly flips between the two, and the ROAM indicator
randomly goes on and off as we drive over the hills and valleys where
the systems merge.  But this only happens when the set is idle.  Once
a call is in progress, the system ID and the ROAM indicator never
change, even though we may be handed between systems multiple times
during the same call.

My theoretical explanation of the phenomenon reported by Gary is as
follows: His phone is idle, and hears the setup channel from a cell
site on his home system, so it turns off its ROAM indicator and shows
the home system's SID.  As he places a call, however, the systems
themselves decide that at his current location, he is better served by
a cell site beloinging to the other network, so he gets handed off
during the call setup.  The phone is merely given a frequency to
switch to; not a new SID during the hand-off.  It does not display the
fact that it is now roaming, nor is it able to enforce the user-selected
HOME-ONLY option in this case.

Anybody have a better idea on this?


Dave Levenson        Internet: [e-mail]
Westmark, Inc.        UUCP: uunet!westmark!dave
Stirling, NJ, USA    Voice: 908 647 0900  Fax: [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Randy Shillman)
Subject: Re: Roaming Wierdity
Date: 19 Dec 1994 21:35:03 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail]


I'm not sure, but what may be happenning is a switching problem
between the VLR (Visiting Location Register) and your own HLR (Home
Location Register), which is a switch that stores all of your
services.  The reason why I say this is because you are still able to
make calls across providers, but your services are not being
recognized.  Call USWest and ask them if this could be the case.

Good Luck.

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

From: [e-mail] (CID Tech/INSG)
Subject: Re: Roaming Weirdity
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 04:36:09 PST


On Wed, 14 Dec 1994 23:30:26, Gary Oliver <[e-mail]> wrote:

> I live in the Mid Willamette valley in Oregon and have an account with
> USWest Cellular here.... Occasionally while crossing back to USWest
> territory after roaming in GTE-land, I will attempt to
> make a call or access my voice mail or some other thing and will get a
> message from GTE (note that my phone thinks I'm back in USWest
> territory) saying "feature not available" or "dial a 1 first" etc.

If I understand correctly, the phone shows you are home (no ROAM
indication) but you are nevertheless getting serviced by GTE?

> So, to test this, the other day I set my phone to HOME ONLY, turned on
> its status monitor (to show system ID) and waited as I was heading south
> until just the moment the service available indicator came on.  At this
> point I showed a signal strengh at the upper limit of the displayable
> value so I assumed it would be acceptable to making calls.  I tried
> to call my voice mail and received a GTE announcement that the feature
> wasn't available, but at THAT TIME, the status monitor was displaying the
> ID of my USWest service.

Hmmm ... familiar problem, it would seem. I travel to lots of areas
where there are border conflicts.

For example, prior to Cell One/VT's acquisition of PC Cellular of VT,
if you drove on I-89 north of Burlington, VT towards Montreal, you
would hit, in no particular order: Cell One/VT, PC Cellular/VT, the
Cell One system in NY on the lake (stupid mental block on the name),
and Cantel.

Now I tried for the longest time to set my SIDs properly, and to block
out the CO signal from NY, but it just didn't do any good! The SID
"rescan", ie, the interval of time it takes for your phone to automatically
scan for new SIDs (I assume this will also happen upon a successful
interrogation by a given switch) is a lot slower than how often you
can transit from one system to another, especially in a tight border
situation.

As another less complicated example, if you drive on the Garden State
Parkway in New Jersey, and are leaving the New York (00025) system for
the ComCast (00173) system, a NY customer's roam light will come on
right after the rest stop on the SOUTHBOUND side before the JCT with
US-1.  However, on the way NORTHBOUND, the roam light goes off about a
mile or two north of that (depending on how fast you drive). It seems
that there is some "retention" of the existing SID/Roam display
instead of immediately displaying the new one. This same situation can
be duplicated on the Meritt Parkway between CT and NY. Note that the
actual system you are on comes in usually at a very fixed point -- that
is, at the rest stop on the GSP (or the Merritt Parkway in Greenwich,
for that matter) is where the NY system stops servicing you and the
ComCast (or Metro Mobile in CT) starts. There is little variation in
terms of this 'line'; what will vary a bit is where the roam light
comes on and what SID shows up.

A good way to test this is to get to know the recordings of each system,
and/or the feature activation codes. Try to set up call-forwarding in
your home system, and see what the tones sound like. Then go to GTE
(or whatever) and see that those tones sound like. If the two systems
use different switches, you will likely get different tones. You can
also dial some fake code, like 548, and hit SEND. See what the
recording is in your home system, and then try this in nearby visited
systems and see what those recordings are like. By doing this often
enough, you can sort of "map out" where the dividing lines are between
the systems. Note that these lines may change due to new towers,
"contour filling", retuning efforts, or even to an extent the weather.
But what you DO map out will probably be a LOT better than using the
roam indicator to tell what system you are in.

(This is a particularly harsh problem from customers who are assessed
high roaming rates in adjacent systems -- not only is the roam
indicator inadequate, but the "SID lockout" NAM option doesn't always
work too well in such situations, and customers can easily get hit
with high roaming charges when they THOUGHT they were in their home
systems. It is partially due to reasons such as this that I am
strongly opposed to daily roam charges, and favor cell companies who
try to work out arrangements with adjacent systems so as to avoid
these border problems. Many cell companies. DO feel the same way,
thankfully, but there are many more who don't seem to think this is an
important enough issue.)

> I called USWest 611 and asked.  They gave the standard answer --
> "must be your phone."

You should ask them if they ever tried it, and if not, then why are
they giving you such a seemingly authoritative answer? I detest this
attitude which many customer service representatives manifest regularly.
Cell companies should work to reduce such alienating and unproductive
blanket statements.

> Is it my phone?  Since the "problem" has existed with two models from
> the same manufacturere, I realize it could be a common problem.  But
> the status monitor thing has me puzzled.

Yup ... it's a common problem all right ... I've had it on all my
phones, although some have a faster rescan programmed in so it appears
to be less of a problem on those. However, you simply can't rely on
the roam/SID indicator in border situations. The way to make sure you
don't get ripped off lies in asking your carrier to work out agreements
with your neighbors so that if you do use an adjacent system you don't
pay ten times what you would normally pay for using your own system.
(But that's just my usual anti roam-charge ranting ...:) )


Doug Reuben, [e-mail]
CID Tech/Interpage Network Svcs. Group E-Mail Paging * MacPager/PCPager
ftp: ftp.netcom.com, pub/ci/cidtech * www: http://interpage.net
telnet: interpage.net, login as "guest" * Phone: (203) 499 - 5221

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

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 04:13:37 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Jeffrey William McKeough)
Subject: Re: PacBell Not Aiming to "Please"


Our Moderator writes:

> When I get a case where the recording on the front end is really lousy
> (there was a lot of background noise when the operator logged on and
> made her recording that day, etc) I tell her about it ... "operator
> you should remake your recording, it sounds terrible ..."     PAT]

Here's a conversation I had with NYNEX's RoboOp (names changed to
protect the innocent):

Recorded male voice:     NYNEX, what city please?  (Not much of a
            telco, that NYNEX, but still polite!)

Me:            In Hadley, Patrick Townson

Recorded Male Voice:    How are you spelling that?

Me:            T-O-W-N-S-O-N

Live female voice:    "T" as in Thomas?

Me:            Yes.  Did you just have a sex change?

Live female voice:    Pardon me?

Me:            The recording that answered was a man's voice.

Live female voice:    [hysterical laughter]  Oops!  I knew I forgot
            to reset *something*!

An efficient system for the most part, but it sure made for one odd
conversation!


Jeffrey William McKeough   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Cogorno)
Subject: Re: PacBell Not Aiming to "Please"
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 22:04:01 PST


> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Yes, this is correct in many places. Here
> in the Chicago area Ameritech has experimented with having the operator's
> voice pre-recorded on a small chip which holds about two seconds of
> recording. It goes something like this, "Operator Jane, may I help you?".

Something that bugs me is that AT&T uses a standard greeting for all
operators.  It is REALLY obvious that the operator is not the same person as
the voice that says "AT&T, how may I help you" (Especially if it's a man!)
Do they think we won't notice?


Steve    [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Richard Barry)
Subject: Re: 911 From Unactivated Cellphone
Date: 19 Dec 1994 17:54:22 -0000
Organization: Ireland On-Line


In article <[e-mail]>, TELECOM Digest Editor noted:

> For next: I hear a rumor that in order to bring California more in
> line with other states where cell phones are concerned, instead of the
> stores giving reduced prices with activation -- illegal there -- the
> carriers will begin offering a 'gift to new subscribers' equal to the
> discounted amount. And really, that is what is happening now in other
> parts of the country. RS and the other dealers are not *really* giving
> you a phone for free or for $25 or whatever ... yes, that's what they
> ring at the register, but the fact is the carrier they go through is
> paying them the difference after the fact. So the stores in CA cannot
> say to you, 'this phone is $25 with activation and $300 without activation
> What they can say is 'all phones are $300 ... and upon your decision to
> sign up with the carrier, the carrier will give you a gift of $275
> in exchange for your one/two year contract with their service.'

The subsidy game also exists in the UK.  No complicated money back
gift schemes are necessary there, because the UK Government turns a
blind eye to the fact that it is illegal under EU competition laws.

GSM phones are available at less than half price, if you sign up with
Network X or Y (eg Motorola 8200 GSM just GBP 200 - while it costs the
equivalent of GBP 500-595 in other markets). Analog phones are often
free on the same basis. Phones without an airtime contract cost
more in the UK than in countries that don't have airtime subsidies (eg
Germany).

It is illusory to think that one is buying a phone under these
conditions.  The price one pays is just a down-payment on a thinly
disguised loan shark type racket.  You end up paying for the phone
over and over by virtue of higher monthly subscription and higher call
charges to re-pay the network for the subsidy it gave, and then some.
If one wants to change the phone later or replace it after theft or
damage, one has to pay full cost on the new phone as well as the high
rentals and call charges arising from the subsidised phone system.

The monthly charge for GSM service is twice as high in the UK as in
Ireland or most parts of Scandinavia (where the handset subsidy system
doesn't exist). Subsidized handsets also cause "churning" of
subscribers -- ie it attracts deadbeats who are sold a mobile phone
because it costs them almost nothing, but who later can't keep up the
monthly subscription -- and more seriously it encourages fraud through
manipulation of dealer commissions.


Richard Barry   IRL-Dublin   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Joseph H Allen)
Subject: Re: T1 + Ethernet -> Fiber
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 21:48:54 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, John Rice <[e-mail].
com> wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
> (Joseph H Allen) writes:

>> My company is upgrading both their computer system (my responsibility)
>> and their phone system (outside contractor).  In the process, we are
>> installing a cable between two sites.  Currently, this cable will
>> contain a fiber pair for linking two lans together and 75-pairs of
>> copper for the PBX.

> If you are going to be in the facilities for a significant length of
> time, don't limit yourself to 1 fiber pair and 75 copper pairs. A year
> or three down the road, you'll be kicking yourself. Compared to the
> installation costs, the cost of the cable is not significant. Put in
> 6-12 fiber pairs and 300-600 copper pairs.

Actually the 75 pair cable already has expansion space.  I think we
only need around 45 or so.  We are planning on only 2 pairs of fiber,
so I'll look into more.  The cable we're supposed to get has only one
pair in it: we're planning on running two seperate cables for the 2
pairs.  I'm not sure why we're not getting one cable with several
pairs in it (that's what the phone contractor recommended): perhaps
they cost more than two seperate cables?

>> The fiber costs $.45 per foot and the copper costs ~$1.10/foot.  The
>> distance is 3000 ft.

> What's the installation cost?

I think the total materials and rental fees are $20,000.  We're
installing it with in-house construction people: We're a seasonal
business and have to keep people employed during off-season so the
labor is basically free (otherwise it would probably be another
$10,000).  Also there are going to be 9 manholes along the trench, so
installing more cables later may not be that big of a deal.  I was
amazed at how easily we got permits for digging the trench on the
public road-side.  I think we're friendly with the local town here.

The cost is actually pretty low.  For $20,000 we also could have
gotten a microwave link, but with only a single T1, and we'd have to
get a license.  Spread-spectrum was the cheapest for the computer
network, but it doesn't help with the phone.

We already rent 8 or so "local loops" for about $15 each per month.
To upgrade to 45, rental would be $8000 a year.  I think it would be
cheaper to rent T1s, but then we need expensive multiplexing equipment
as well.

The phone system itself is supposed to cost around $50,000.  I think
that covers about 150 phones and a radio link (we're a greenhouse
business: many of the employees carry radios with them so they don't
have to walk to a phone whenever there's a call).

>> I plan on using these little $100 boxes which convert ethernet to
>> fiber and use some extra PCs w/linux as bridges.

Does anyone know about the boxes I'm mentioning here?  I want to know
if they act like bridges: so that the ethernet length limit can be
exceeded.  I would like to avoid buying expensive hubs if possible
(having a PC act as hub is what I'm planning on now, but if these
boxes do it anyway, all the better).

>> I would like to know if there are boxes which take both ethernet and
>> T1 (or whatever signal a pdx is likely to have) and multiplex them
>> together onto the fiber so that the copper cable is not needed.

> For PBX extensions, the economics of putting in mux/demux says copper
> is cheaper, until you get into the line capacity that justifies a
> remote switching equipment and trunking.

Yeah, that's what I gather.  I think with all that copper we can get
away with a single PBX- although I don't know how digital/multi-line
phones are going to work.

> At that point you'll be glad to have a copper pair to run a POTS
> line over for your modem.

Yeah, also it's good to have copper for any other simple signalling
application that might come along.

> We originally ran T-1 between two buildings to serve remote extensions.
> When we 'buried' cable to support a fiber network link, we found that
> the costs more than justified putting in 600pairs and ripping out the
> t-1s'. The biggest cost was digging the trench :-), and ours wasn't as
> long as yours will be.

My biggest problem with copper is that I'm worried that it will only
exasperate our already serious lightning problem even further.  We
usually lose an expensive 30 HP pump motor and several thousand
dollars worth of PBX pieces about once every two years.


[e-mail] (192.74.137.5)  Joseph H. Allen

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

From: [e-mail] (Martin Farber)
Subject: Re: ISDN on DEC Alpha Computers
Date: 19 Dec 1994 13:40:11 GMT
Organization: Nynex Science & Technology, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail]


In article [e-mail], [e-mail] (Dale Farmer) writes:

> Today I was building a DEC Alpha workstation for a customer and
> noticed on the back a little jack labeled ISDN, and packaged with it
> was a cheapie Plantronics headset that plugs into the headset jack
> right next to the ISDN jack.  Haven't had a chance to look at the
> relevent portion of the manual yet, but it seems to have ISDN built
> right into the motherboard of the thing.  Methinks DEC may be
> getting a little optomistic about how widespread ISDN availability is,
> or is there some deadline coming up that I haven't heard about?

Sun Sparcs already have ISDN ports, but no parallel ports -- bright huh?


Sincerely,

Martin Farber
Independent Oracle Consultant   "A Jack of all trades and a slave to one."
NYNEX Science & Technology
500 Westchester Ave, Rm 1B-23
White Plains, NY  10604
  -----------------
email: [e-mail]
Voice: 914/644-2656
FAX: [phone]

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

From: minerva.robadome.com![e-mail] (Sheldon Kociol)
Subject: Re: They Hacked Me! !@#$%^%^$
Date: 19 Dec 1994 22:08:44 GMT
Organization: ROLM - A Siemens Company
Reply-To: minerva.robadome.com![e-mail]


The ROLM CBX (9005.2.79 bind and up) has a system parameter
PM_XFR_TO_CO. This parameter set to no will not let a external callers
(ie. DID) transfer out of Phonemail to an external type of trunk
(regardless of COS). You need to check the trunk types which the
hackers are calling out on (possible CDR will tell you the trunk).
Trunks configured as ties are internal even if physically they are
external.  This parameter is global, thus if there is a need to
transfer exteranl, configuration is much more complicated and risky.
Depending on the release of Phonemail, there are simple control to one
access code to the more current releases of Phonemail which has
restrict tables (I am a CBX person, not a Phonemail person). This is
redundant to the CBX control.  I would suggest that you escallate to
the branch (you might have already done this). This problem needs
escallation to the security manager. They will be able to review your
configuration to let you know any possible holes in security.  You are
very lucky that AT&T was on the ball.

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

From: [e-mail] (Mr. James Holland)
Subject: Re: They Hacked Me! !@#$%^%^$
Date: 19 Dec 1994 22:23:33 GMT
Organization: Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, Tennessee


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

> I don't believe it - they hacked me?

> I have a ROLM 9751 and phonemail.  I have all of the DID classes of
> service low, transfer tables and all of the other standard stuff.  My
> question is, EXACTLY how do you go through phonemail to get an outside
> line.  I tried every conceivable combination of transfers in and out
> several times and I could never get through?  If I know hew they are
> doing it I could plug it.

> Luckily, they spend most of their time trying to get through and
> little time on my T-1.  The callers were using stolen calling cards
> from NYC payphones to call an extension in my switch that since there
> was no answer went into phonemail.  (Thanks AT&T for the clue -- they
> called me to tell me this after about ten hours of activity) I can't
> figure this out?  Any 'hackers' out there?

Probably not, but just maybe ... on phonemail, make sure you don't
have something as simple as extension 9 setup with the ability to
transfer to it. I hit that as an extension on a customer's phonemail
system once and was greeted with a dialtone (theirs!) ... that's the
story I'm gonna stick with at least! :-)


James Holland   [e-mail]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #457
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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
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To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #458

TELECOM Digest     Tue, 20 Dec 94 00:30:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 458

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    AT&T & Sprint In 900-Number Class Action Suits ([e-mail])
    Nova Scotia Integrated Wide Area Network Project (Todd Brown)
    New NPA For Bahamas (David Esan)
    Data Compressors For 56K DDS (Ingo Cyliax)
    Wanted: Tampa/Ft. Myers Area Pager Operators ([e-mail])
    Interactive Television Guide Seeks Listings (Yasha Manuel Harari)
    Re: Caller-ID With Call-Waiting (Benjamin P. Carter)
    Re: "Until You Kill Them, You Don't Know Who They Are" (Jeffrey Rhodes)
    Re: Cable Industry WWW Sites? (David Moon)
    Re: Cable Industry WWW Sites? (Michael Shimazu)
    Re: DMS-100 vs 5ESS (Randy Gellens)
    Re: Telecom in Africa (Konrad Weigl)
    Re: Telecom in Africa (John Lundgren)
    Re: New Phone Numbers (Bas van der horst)
    Re: MCI and the Future of the Internet (Mike Schenk)
    Re: Help Wanted With Phone Test Device (Paul Cook)
    Re: Digital Cellular and Fraud Prevention (Dave Levenson)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
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should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (FS)
Subject: AT&T & Sprint In 900-Number Class Action Suits
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 05:40:16 GMT


ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, U.S.A., 1994 DEC 19 (NB) -- A recent, little
noted federal court decision in Augusta, Georgia, could cost AT&T and
Sprint billions of dollars, according to a published analysis in the
industry journal, {Telecom & Network Security Review}.

The article, by John Haugh, a contributing editor, reports that a
November 22 decision by US District Judge Dudley Bowen Jr. has
certified three lawsuits -- known as the Andrews, Harper and Sikes
cases -- as class action suits.

The actions, originally filed in Augusta, Georgia, 1991 and 1992, seek
damages from AT&T and Sprint because of fraudulent 900-number schemes.
The plaintiffs claim that the LDCs (long distance carriers) aided the
schemes by supplying them with 900-number service.  The class action
certification means plaintiff's counsel can seek damages for all
victims throughout the US who were defrauded by the 900-number
schemes.

In all these suits, the plaintiffs claim wire fraud, mail fraud, and
federal racketeering (RICO) violations. Actual damages claimed could
come to $1 billion, says the analysis. The racketeering charges could
treble the damages to nearly $4 billion.

The schemes involved inducing victims to call a 900 number in hopes of
receiving some benefit, including major credit card approval despite
bad credit, prizes from "play-along" TV game show quizzes, or prizes
in different games of chance. In all cases, the main result of calling
was a large phone bill the following month.

Haugh says that in the past three years, the scam is believed to have
grossed $1.5 to $4.5 billion.

In his analysis, Haugh says the implications go beyond the potential
liabilities of AT&T and Sprint. Other LDCs, RBOCs (regional Bell
operating companies), local phone companies, and billing services
could become lawsuit targets as well.

MCI was named in two of the suits, said Haugh, but settled out of
court for $60 million. Of that total, $43 million will be paid in the
form of free phone service to 900-number fraud victims and $17 million
in attorneys fees and costs. MCI agreed to mount a national campaign
to notify victims of the settlement.

Haugh noted that hearing about the settlement may encourage other
victims to come forward in the AT&T and Sprint actions.

AT&T and Sprint have asserted various defenses, including that they
have "no way of knowing" what takes place through the telephone lines
they "merely lease" to 900 scam artists, said Haugh.

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

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 20:37:09 -0400
From: [e-mail] (Todd Brown)
Subject: Nova Scotia Integrated Wide Area Network Project


The computer and communications networks used by government have
traditionally grown as separate and discrete entities designed to meet
individual application requirements.

Several Nova Scotia provincial government departments currently
require wide area network access for their specific applications.
There are several current initiatives under way, for example:

There is an existing government data communication network providing
access to mainframes at the Departments of Finance and Supply and
Services.

There is a requirement for government-wide electronic mail access.
There are currently 1,100 users participating in a pilot project and
participation is expected to more than quadruple in the near future in
the metropolitan Halifax-Dartmouth area.  There is an identified need
for broader service access throughout the Province.

There is a need to upgrade/replace the existing government mobile
radio communication system (known as the Nova Scotia Integrated Mobile
Radio Service (NSIMRS) this analogue state owned radio service (8000
users) primarily serves emergency services like fire suppression and
policing across Nova Scotia.

There is a requirement to provide wide area network access by schools,
public libraries and other educational users.

There is a pilot project (LAN to LAN connectivity-frame relay) under
way to evaluate emerging technology to meet the wide area access needs
of the Department of Transportation and Communications.

There is a requirement to provide Wide Area Network Acccess for
Government's One Stop Centres (Single Window Government Service
Delivery Offices).

There is an identifyable need to create a long term and dynamic
planning process for the development of electronic service delivery
applications and integrated community networks.

Historically, there have been two separate and uncoordinated technology
approaches that have supported government's wide area network requirements:

1.   wireless, e.g., mobile radio, microwave, cellular
telephone communications;

2.   wired, e.g., computer, facsimile, traditional telephone
communications.

This has resulted in a dysfunctional communications environment where
inter-operability is not presently possible across government.

The Provincial Government of Nova Scotia is presently undertaking long
term efforts to re-engineer the provision of public services. More
direct delivery of public services will make the need for seemless
interoperability between mobile applications and hard wired databases
more important than ever.  Decentralized service delivery, in
healthcare and social services will require innovative commuinications
systems.

An architecture definition of a WAN for the Government of Nova Scotia
was developed as one of the action items flowing from the completion
of the Information Technology Architecture Plan (ITAP). The architecture
plan describes the proposed network in generic terms. The WAN guidelines
include the provision of:

     universal access;
     peer to peer client server connectivity;
     provision of different levels of service according to
     need, proximity and cost;
     conformance to standards;
     facilities for departmental systems planning;
     billing to departments for WAN services to be relatively
     traffic intensive; and
     effective management.

The network architecture was designed to provide access to the
following applications:

     voice communications
     facsimile
     host based data
     LAN based data; and
     video

Additionally, the Department of Transportation and Communications has
coordinated the development of a user requirement statement for an
upgrade/replacement of the NSIMRS. Working with the NSIMRS major
users, the Department developed a Common Purpose Procurement (now CBS)
based user requirement statement that generically described the
technical requirements for large users on the system.

There are four deliverables:

Generic Network Design
Mobile Radio Service upgrade/replacement/enhancement
A Test Case Strategic Planning Process for Educational
Networking
Early Wide Area Network Applications

The Government of Nova Scotia will soon request a partner (s) for the
provision of wireless and wired Wide Area Network Services.  The
desired outcome is a system that in seemless, interoperable, and
capable of supporting the evolution of WAN electronic service delivery
applications for departments of Government.

For more information please e-mail Todd Brown, Acting Director of
Communications Technology, Nova Scotia Department of Transportation
and Communications at [e-mail].

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

From: [e-mail] (David Esan)
Subject: New NPA For Bahamas
Date: 19 Dec 1994 13:20:56 GMT
Organization: Moscom Corporation, Pittsford NY


According to a tariff source the Bahamas have requested and received a
new NPA, 441.  If I could find the article I could give you the effective
date. Sorry.


David Esan      [e-mail]

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

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 16:24:45 -0500
From: Ingo Cyliax <[e-mail]>
Subject: Data Compressors For 56K DDS
Organization: Computer Science, Indiana University


Is anyone using data compression device on their 56K DDS lines ? I
would like to hear about experiences (effective data rates, latency
issues, etc ...) especially in regard to IP over 56 DDS applications.
I'm also interested in hearing about specific products (integrated
CSU/DSUs, V.35 -> V.35, etc ...).

Thanks for any information.


Ingo Cyliax, [e-mail],
[phone], [phone] (day)

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Wanted: Tampa/Ft. Myers Area Pager Operators
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: National Institutes of Health
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 20:31:05 GMT


Hi all:

I'm looking for paging system operators interested in 929MHz licenses
for Tampa/Fort Myers area. I have licenses to unload.  Please call
[phone] or e-mail: [e-mail].


Thanks!

Mark

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

From: [e-mail] (Yasha Manuel Harari)
Subject: Interactive Television Guide Seeks Listings
Date: 20 Dec 1994 03:06:14 GMT
Organization: The George Washington University, Washington DC


GET A FREE LISTING in the Only Guide to the Interactive Television Industry.

The Interactive Television Association (ITA) cordially invites you to
be listed, FREE OF CHARGE, in the premier annual directory to the
Interactive Television industry.  _The Only Guide to the Interactive
Television Industry_ will provide its listers international
recognition as industry forerunners in the fast-paced interactive age.

The Only Guide will be your direct link to the diverse range of
companies involved in interactive television, including: advertising
firms, banks, boradcasters, cable, direct marketers, DRTV, investors,
law firms, market research, networks, online services, publishers,
software and technology developers, telcos, wireless groups, and more!
From the biggest players to the most entrepreneurial companies, this
directory is already making its mark as '_the_' place to list your
vital interest and your contact information.  A few of the companies
listing include SUN Microsystems, Microsoft, Atari Jaguar, America
OnLine, Harper Collins Publishers, Interactive Video Enterprises,
American Lung Association, and hundreds more!  List your company TODAY
to make your products and services available to the leaders of the
interactive television industry.

For more info about listing or puchasing copies of _The Only Guide_,
contact Tom Arundel on the ITA Only Guide Hotline: [phone].
Are you intersted in advertising in the guide?  If so, ask for Bob
Levenson.  You may also contact ITA by Email by sending in your reply
to:

                        [e-mail]

To accomodate all the incoming requests, deadlines for listings and
advertisings have been extended until December 30, 1994.  MAKE SURE
you contact either Tom or Bob ON OR BEFORE that date to ensure your
company's listing.

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

From: [e-mail] (Benjamin P. Carter)
Subject: Re: Caller-ID With Call-Waiting
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 05:05:14 GMT


When, oh when, will ISDN be affordable?  Then we wouldn't have to
discuss how to patch up the POTS.


Ben Carter   internet address: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jeffrey Rhodes)
Subject: Re: "Until You Kill Them, You Don't Know Who They Are"
Date: 19 Dec 1994 18:01:21 GMT
Organization: McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail]


In article [e-mail], Paul Robinson <[e-mail]> writes:

> ... I decided to try the 1-800-MY-ANI-IS number so I could write
> down what the number was that was generated.  Union Station is about
> 10 miles west of my house.

> This time, the area code of the outgoing number was a 301 area code number.
> The moral of this story?  On Cellular One's service, until you call them,
> you won't know who you are.  :)

ANI is not Caller Number ID (CNI). ANI is the billing number, which is
always different than the caller's number for cellular systems' calls
to 800 services.  This traffic is routed to the LEC on Type 1
facilities. The LEC routes the call to the IXC and sends an ANI that
represents the LEC, so that the IXC "knows" that the LEC will charge
them outgoing access for the call.

Try the same procedure from business PBXs. Again, the ANI will most
likely not be the same as the extension number.


Jeffrey Rhodes

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

From: [e-mail] (David Moon)
Subject: Re: Cable Industry WWW Sites?
Date: 19 Dec 1994 19:43:03 GMT
Organization: General DataComm, Inc.


Yves Blondeel ([e-mail]) wrote:

> [e-mail] (Bruce Klopfenstein) wrote:

>> Where are the cablecos?  Is there a site that is updating them as they
>> come online?

> There is a European site -- from a cable magazine; not an operator.

> Inside Cable Magazine (United Kingdom)
> http://scitsc.wlv.ac.uk/university/sles/sm/incable.html

> If you find other cable TV web servers, would you please post them to
> this group?

CableLabs is http://www.cablelabs.com/

Also there are mailing lists- telecomreg and cablereg. Info about these
and other telecom mailing lists is in:

http://www.ipps.lsa.umich.edu/telecom-docs/maillists.html


David Moon              [e-mail]
General Datacomm, Inc.  ATTMail:  !dmoon
Middlebury, CT 06762

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

From: [e-mail] (MSHIMAZU)
Subject: Re: Cable Industry WWW Sites?
Date: 19 Dec 1994 16:55:03 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
(Bruce Klopfenstein) writes:

>> The telephone industry is already well represented with company WWW
>> sites.  The only cable television site I am aware of is Cable Labs.

Could you post that site in this group, please?

Many thanks,

Michael Shimazu

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

From: [e-mail]
Date: 19 Dec 1994 02:27:00 GMT
Subject: Re: DMS-100 vs 5ESS


> Here are some things I have found since I got cut to a DMS-100:

> 1. Any line that is not POTS can flash and get stutter dial tone; this
> parks the first connection and will ring you back if you hangup.

I really miss that since moving from GTE (GTD-5) to Pac Bell (5ESS).
It was a very handy way to "transfer" a call when I was on the phone
but needed to move to a different room.  When I had a roommate, it was
a nice way for either of us to "transfer" the call to the other, or to
the answering machine.


Randall Gellens      [e-mail]
[phone]       fax [phone]
Mail Stop MV 237     Net**2 656-6350

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

From: [e-mail] (Konrad Weigl)
Subject: Re: Telecom in Africa
Date: 19 Dec 1994 13:50:40 GMT
Organization: INRIA, Sophia-Antipolis (Fr)


In article <[e-mail]>, Jennings <pp000539@interramp.
com> writes:

> Anyone doing telecom in Africa?  Where / what is the definitive
> authority on telecom matters in Africa? Could anyone give a specific
> reference? What I mean is where are the switches, what kind are
> they, how much microwave / satellite traffic is there. Is there any
> innovative approaches being taken ... fixed cellular (maby 150 MHz) for
> the last mile ... solar powered, helicopter dropped terminals ... would
> be very interested in discussing these with anyone else interested in
> these kinds of things in Africa or elsewhere.

The first point of contact could here be the ITU, international
Telecommunication Union, Place des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland.


Konrad Weigl   INRIA B.P. 93
F-06902 Sophia Antipolis Cedex
France

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

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: Telecom in Africa
Date: 20 Dec 1994 05:57:35 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


I've heard that the telephone system in Kenya is really old and in
poor shape.  Lots of noise on the lines that makes it difficult to use
a modem over there.  The Kenyans implemented a network using Fido, so
they kind of have internet.

One thing to remember is that the junk of yesteryear from the U.S.
often ends up in foreign countries as state of the art equipment,
compared to what they used to have.  So their telecom systems may not
be that bad, especially in bigger cities.


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (bas van der horst)
Subject: Re: New Phone Numbers
Date: 19 Dec 1994 23:27:40 GMT
Organization: XS4ALL, networking for the masses


[e-mail] (Thomas Diessel) writes:

> The German business magazine "Witschaftswoche" reports that the German
> secretary of Post and Telecommunications has to decide about a new
> telephone numbering plan. This is a prerequisite for the introduction
> of competition in the German telephone market (planed for 1/1/98).

In the Netherlands, a new numbering plan is announced for 10-10-1995.
Every phone number will consist of ten digits; area-codes will make up
three or four digits. This will mean that most people (especially
outside the largest cities) will get a new phone number. The reasons
are similar to these mentioned for Germany: PTT Telecom will make room
for competition + pan-European codes.

> CEPT has made several suggestions for an Europe-wide numbering plan
> (introducing "3" as the European country code).

A European emergency code "112" is also mentioned.


Bas van der Horst
Diemen, The Netherlands
[e-mail]

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

Subject: Re: MCI and the Future of the Internet
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 10:43:11 EST
From: [e-mail] (Mike Schenk)
Organization: TINA Consortium, Red Bank, New Jersey


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

> WASHINGTON, D.C., U.S.A., 1994 DEC 2 (NB) -- By Kennedy Maize.

> I have seen the future of the Internet and its name is MCI.  The
> Washington-based long-distance carrier recently gave reporters a tour
> of its new Net offering, including the online shopping mall it plans
> to begin rolling out in January. As one MCI executive told Newsbytes,
> "We are going into cyberspace commercial real estate."

> For most of its brief, 25-year history, the Internet has been a
> government project. Access has been free, which is to say, subsidized
> by the taxpayers through Defense Department and National Science
> Foundation appropriations.

What a blatant lie this is! Maybe RAPME should do some more research
into the Internet. Yes, the Internet started with Arpanet and the US
backbone of the Internet has been a government project. But the
Internet is much bigger than the US backbone. Sometime ago the US
backbone indeed was the major foundation of the Internet but these
times are long gone.

In fact the Internet would not be what it is today if organizations in
the rest of the world would not have spent millions of dollars on
it.  Today, the Internet community wouldn't really care if the US
backbone collapsed except for the fact that we wouldn't be able to
send email to people in the US and wouldn't be able to access machines
in the US, but that's it.

The Internet is not a government project and has never been a
government project. Stating that it is, is a blatant lie and shows
that the person who is talking doesn't know anything about the
Internet.


Mike

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

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 13:02 EST
From: Proctor & Associates <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Help Wanted With Phone Test Device


[e-mail] (Greg Philmon) wrote:

> I've seen devices that allow you to bypass the local exchange and
> perform phone testing within your office.

> That is, they have two or more RJ11 jacks, each assigned a two or
> three digit phone number.  You can plug in a standard analog phone and
> call any other port.

> The device handles dial tone and ring generation, as well as busy
> signals, etc.  Some even allow you to adjust the line quality.

> What are these things called?  Where can I go to get more info and
> perhaps purchase one?  How much do they cost (ballpark)?

These are called Telephone Demonstrators, and Proctor & Associates
makes them.  We also make telephone test equipment, that test the
phones to telephone industry specs.

The demonstrators range in price from $260 to $685.  The least
expensive model is a two line device, and the highest priced model
simulates Caller ID, Centrex and custom calling features.

Contact Proctor at 206-881-7000 or [e-mail] for more info.


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

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

From: [e-mail] (Dave Levenson)
Subject: Re: Digital Cellular and Fraud Prevention
Organization: Westmark, Inc.
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 14:24:45 GMT


Jason Hillyard ([e-mail]) writes:

> Now suppose someone managed to get hold of a very fresh MIN, ESN, SSD,
> and COUNT, and were capable of programming all of this into a phone.
> They may be able to clone a phone for a short time, depending on
> whether the original phone is used and whether the service provider is
> keeping track of COUNT.

How does this work for roamer service?  Does the current COUNT value
for every subscriber have to be known by every service provider in the
country all the time?  If I place two calls from Newark Airport, New
Jersey, then turn my pocket cellular set off, board an airliner, and
two hours later step off the plane in Chicago and place two more
calls, and then ...  how does the Chicago system know the correct
value for my COUNT and how does it communciate its own updates to that
value back to the home system?


Dave Levenson        Internet: [e-mail]
Westmark, Inc.        UUCP: uunet!westmark!dave
Stirling, NJ, USA    Voice: 908 647 0900  Fax: [phone]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #458
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #459

TELECOM Digest     Tue, 20 Dec 94 01:44:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 459

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Maryland Does Not Yet go 'Round in Circles (Paul Robinson)
    Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service (Kevin Paul Herbert)
    Re: Home Office Hardware/Software (Mustafa Soysal)
    Re: Pager Advice Wanted (Tad Cook)
    Re: Fun With Caller ID (Kevin Paul Herbert)
    900 Number Service Bureaus/FAQ/Help? (Tom Godbold)
    900 Number Service Information Wanted(Nesta Stubbs)
    900 Information Providers Directory Wanted (Jeffrey Dennis)
    Re: 500 Numbers (Paul Robinson)
    500 Number Assignments, Listed by Company ([e-mail])
    Re: Caller-ID With Call Waiting (Anthony Chor)
    Re: Information Wanted: Pulse Rate in India (Carl Oppedahl)
    Re: Cellular Roaming in New York Suspended (S. Bapat)
    Re: Handshaking: Computer-Computer or Modem-Computer? (Alain Fontaine)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available at no charge to qualified organizations
and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify:

                 * [e-mail] *

The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
or phone at:
                    9457-D Niles Center Road
                     Skokie, IL USA   60076
                       Phone: [phone]
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  ** Article submission address only: [e-mail] **

Our archives are located at lcs.mit.edu and are available by using
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use the information service, just ask.

*************************************************************************
*   TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the              *
* International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland    *
* under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES)   *
* project.  Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-*
* ing views of the ITU.                                                 *
*************************************************************************

Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such
as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help
is important and appreciated.

All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 01:04:44 EST
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Maryland Does Not Yet go 'Round in Circles


Note that we have mandatory 1+ dialing for all calls which are not
local; even in the same area code, I have to dial 11 digits if the
number isn't local to me, so we are ready for the increase in area
codes.  However ...

 From a 301-585 number in Silver Spring, MD, dialing:

1-360-555-1212   0-360-555-1212  10288-0-360-555-1212   or
10288-1-360-555-1212

Is timed out to a SIT recording saying my call cannot be completed as
dialed, as soon as the '1' after 555 is entered.  I also checked
against dialing restrictions; dialing '1-700-555-1212' said the
carrier for this line is AT&T.

So we can't do a '360' here, yet; it will probably be a while before
we can go full circle.  :)


Paul Robinson - [e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Obviously your local telco central
office was dealing with what it believed to be the number 360-5551.
Since it feels no such area code exists, therefore 360 must be (to
it) a prefix somewhere in Maryland. Since it cannot find that either
when it looks for it, the call is bounced. It does not hand off
traffic to a long distance carrier which it feels the LD carrier
will also be unable to work with.  Try the 800 bypass number for
AT&T (or some other carrier) followed by 1-360-555-1212 and I bet
your call will go through once you eliminate the watchful eyes at
the local central office who screen for such things.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Kevin Paul Herbert)
Subject: Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 01:15:13 -0800
Organization: cisco Systems, Inc., Ashland, OR


360 is reachable from US West in Oregon, at least at 503-488.

Kevin


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: It works from 312/708 also as of
the past couple days. But if you look at a map of the coverage
area, it seems to be rather odd how this area code is placed
with some in the extreme north part of Washington and some in
the extreme south ... any ideas who decides where to put things
like this?   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Mustafa Soysal)
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 12:31:01 GMT
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Home Office Hardware/Software


In article <[e-mail]> is written:

> Could anybody tell me if I can use my PC to answer a phone with my
> present data/fax modem to take care of all the calls? If not, which
> modem is the best one with the voice capability?  I have a Hayes and
> Zoom at the moment.

I don't know what the sitation in the UK is, but in the US you can use
Multiring service to have different phone numbers ring on the same
phoneline each using a different pattern.  Although this service is
not available everywhere in the US, most locations seem to have it.

There are boxes that let you route the different phone numbers to
their respective phone lines.  There are also boxes that seem to
listen to the call and route it to either your fax or modem.

I am using OS/2, UnTieCom(tm), and FaxWorks on the software side, and
a 486-50 EISA self glued-together PC with a Telebit Worldblazer
data/fax modem.  I am considering using Maximus BBS for data.  I also
use uupc-32bit OS/2 for usenet news and e-mail connectivity.  UnTieCom
is a program I have written myself.  It detects the type of ring on
the line and launches an application you assigned to that ring.  UTC
also keeps the port available for outgoing port usage while being
ready for letting you receive a fax or data call.  If you had the
right voice application and a ZyXel modem, you would be able to hookup
your answering machine program on it as well.  I have a lengthy
description of it available, if anyone is interested they can send a
request to [e-mail]

If you are also using the line as your voice line, you may or may not
be able to use your answering machine since some of them seem to count
the rings wrong.  If they count them right, yuou could also have the
answering machine hooked up since the FaxWorks lets the modem answer
after the second or third ring in a setup with UTC.  The answering
time will depend on how fast the modem will be configured for answering
the call.

I think OS/2 makes the best OS platform for the type of usage you
have.  You can do all other tasks you need to do while these programs
wait for when they will be used.  Most of the codes are swapped out,
so they will not occupy much RAM when they are not actively used.


Best regards,

Mustafa Soysal  - Author of UnTieCom
[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Tad Cook)
Subject: Re: Pager Advice Wanted
Date: 20 Dec 1994 03:16:21 GMT
Organization: Seanet Online Services, Seattle WA


Lyle E Dodge ([e-mail]) wrote:

> Get a Motorola, definately.  Grab a Seattle phone book, I know they
> are HUGE, and look up "Telephone Service", or "Pagers" and find a big
> company.  Usually the ones that have been around for a long time
> usually have better services.

My paging service in Seattle from Cook Paging (no relation) costs only
$4.50 per month.


Tad Cook    [e-mail]  or  [e-mail]
or  [e-mail]   Seattle, WA

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

From: [e-mail] (Kevin Paul Herbert)
Subject: Re: Fun With Caller ID
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 01:17:13 GMT
Organization: cisco Systems, Inc., Ashland, OR


> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, this serves to illustrate how the
> generics differ from one community or telco to another. When you use
> Repeat Call here, before any attempt is made to ring the desired number
> (after a query shows it to now be free to accept your call) *your*
> phone is rung back with a special ringing cadence.]

I don't think that you read the poster's note carefully enough. What
he is saying (and I have experienced this with my CallerID service,
provided on a DMS-100) is that if you have the *66 or *69 service and
get a ring-back, the CallerID box will display the number that the
ringback is for.

If you have queued multiple *66 or *69 requests, this lets you know
who you are about to call when you pick up the phone.


Kevin


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Maybe so, but what kind of big deal is
that? You are learning nothing knew since you already knew what number
you were calling when you originally dialed it. In other words, what
secret about the party at the other end are you learning as a result?
Maybe I am missing something here.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Lore)
Subject: 900 Number Service Bureaus/FAQ/Help?
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 21:50:05
Organization: Cornflakes & Sandbars


Am searching for 900 number service bureau list; resources on how to
run a successful 900 number campaign, and any helpful recommendations/
practical knowledge from those that may have gone down the 900 number
road before.  Any help gratefully responded to.

Respond to:

Tom Godbold   [e-mail]
a card-bearing member of the Alliance to Stop Stupidity...

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

From: [e-mail] (Nesta Stubbs)
Subject: 900 Number Service Information Wanted
Date: 19 Dec 1994 15:23:50 -0600
Organization: Moorish Science Temple


    I would like some information on 900 services, like who to
cantact in the telephone company about setting one up; how to go about
it; what to look for in the deal for one; and how to protect myself
from fraud.  PLus any information on the telcos billing procedure and
starting initial investment me and my company would need to make.

    Any pointers to FAQs text files, or WWW sites or even phone
numbers would be appreciatd.


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I imagine you will get replies from our
readers who are currently doing this or who have done it in the past.
I have an unrelated question for you: what the heck is Moorish Science?
A few years ago we had a 'Moorish Science Temple' here in Chicago on
the south side and it was simply a coverup for the notorious El Rukn
street gang, most of whom are now in the penitentiary serving life
sentences. They also referred to themselves as 'Moorish-Americans'. PAT]

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

From: hookup![e-mail] (Jeffrey Dennis)
Subject: 900 Information Providers Directory Wanted
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 10:10:41 -0500
Organization: HookUp Communication Corporation, Oakville, Ontario, CANADA


Is anyone aware of a list or directory of 1-900 information providers
(ie.  companies who operate sports tout, psychic, sex, chat, etc. phone
lines)?  Please send the information to me by email ([e-mail]).


Thank you,

Jeffrey Dennis
Ashton-Royce Capital Corporation
1701-77 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario  M5S 1M2
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
email: [e-mail]

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 03:19:26 GMT
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: 500 Numbers


The Toddster <[e-mail]>, writes:

> Recently, while talking to AT&T, I found out that they have four
> exchanges open in the new 500 NPA.  Namely, 346, 367, 677, and now
> 288.

I decided to pick three numbers to see if either would work; I tried
calling: 500 346 1000, 500 367 2668 (Mr. Todd's number) and 500 555
1212.

 From Montgomery County, Maryland (area code 301) trying to dial, say,
'1 500 346 1000', '1 500 367 2668' or '1 500 555 1212' times out after the
7th digit following the 1, e.g. at '1 500 3461' as if I was trying to
dial a seven-digit number with 1 first.  The timeout dumps me to a SIT
recording saying the number can't be completed as dialed.

Trying to dial '500-346-1000' or '500 555 1212' also times out at
seven digits but returns a different SIT error message recording of:
"The number you have dialed, area code 4 1 0, 500, 3461" (or 410, 500
5551 or 410, 500 3672) "is being checked for trouble."

Note that I did not dial the 410 area code first.  (AC 410 was split
off from 301 about two years ago, and should have been required even
if the number in area code 410 was local to me.  The only exception to
this are telephone company service numbers, such as Time [844-xxxx],
Weather [936-xxxx], and the telephone company's exchange, [954-xxxx];
these are all 202 area code numbers, but do not use the area code;
also 950-xxxx for carriers, which is in the 703 area code in Arlington,
VA for the Washington, DC area LATA.)

The operator at the 1-800-870-9222 number told me she expects the service
to be available in about two weeks.


Paul Robinson - [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Kronos)
Subject: 500 Number Assignments, Listed by Company
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 20:51:41 GMT


The Toddster <[e-mail]> writes:

> Recently, while talking to AT&T, I found out that they have four
> exchanges open in the new 500 NPA.  Namely, 346, 367, 677, and now
> 288.

FYI, here are the NPA 500 assignments:

STANDISH TEL CO      522    UNITED TEL CO OF NJ  651, 659
N PITTSBURGH TEL CO  412    UNITED TEL CO OF PA  729
CENTRAL TEL OF VA    882    NATL TEL CO OF AL    682
PEOPLES TELCO INC    567    ROANOKE TEL CO INC   782
SPRINT CENTEL FL     786    GTE SOUTH INC - KY   249
RESERVE TEL CO       957    CENTURY TEL CO       283, 968
BAY SPRINGS TEL CO   832    CENTRAL TEL CO OF NC 946
UNITED TEL CO CAROL  259    CHESTER  TEL CO      304, 309
HORRY TEL COOP INC   535    CROCKETT TEL CO INC  865
UNITED TEL CO INC    254    WEST TENNESSEE TEL   988
UNITED TELCO OF OHIO 340, 886    UNITED TEL OF IN     884
NORTHEAST TEL CO     236    WEST IOWA TEL CO     789
HUTCHINSON TEL CO    587    LAKEDALE TEL CO      291
UNITED TEL CO MINN   280    HOOPER TEL CO        654
LINCOLN TEL & TEL CO 588    JEFFERSON TEL CO     386
ELKHART TEL CO INC   382    UNITED TELCO MO - KS 885
UNITED TEL CO OF MO  320    BIXBY TELEPHONE CO   742
CANADIAN VALLEY TEL  334    CENTRAL OKLAHOMA TEL 377
CHEROKEE TEL CO      434    CIMARRON TEL CO      476
CROSS TEL CO         463    PIONEER TEL COOP INC 375
POTTAWATOMIE TEL CO  899    BRAZORIA TEL CO      292
UNITED TEL CO OF TX  788    LUFKIN TEL EXC INC   528
UINTAH BASIN TEL     828    UNION TEL CO - WY    855
EVANS TEL CO         892    CENTRAL TEL CO NV    286
AMERITECH MOBILE 227,269,661,746  NYNEX MOBILE          678
AIRTOUCH CELLULAR    345    BATON ROUGE MSA      273
RADIOFONE INC        723    TIME WARNER COMM     225
BELL QUEBEC          874    ALBERTA GOV TEL      871
NEWFOUNDLAND TEL     867    BRITISH COLUMBIA TEL 878
ISLAND TEL CO LTD    866    MANITOBA TEL SYS     873
MARITIME TEL LTD     870    NEW BRUNSWICK TEL    868
SASKATCHEWAN TEL COM 869    SO NEW ENGLAND TEL   763
BELL ATLANTIC NSI    224, 369    CINCINNATI BELL      228
BELLSOUTH TELECOMM   257    SOUTHWESTERN BELL    224
ADVANTIS  421,422,880,881    ALLNET COMM SVC      256
AMERICAN SHARECOM    395, 655      AT&T  288, 346, 367, 677
CABLEVISION SYSTEM   393    RED ROSE SYSTEMS     733
DELTA COMMUNICATIONS 300    MCI COMMUNICATIONS   265
MCCAW CELLULAR 430,431,432,433    ONCOR                444
PREFERRED NETWORKS   764    POKA LAMBRO COMM     526
PARKWAY COMMUNICATNS 626    SCHNEIDER COMM       323
TELECOM USA 484,883,887,889    CABLE & WIRELESS COM 223, 229, 294
TELEPHONE ELECTRONIC 244    UNITEL               864
SPRINT LDD           877    VIRGIN IS TELE COM   770
WILTEL INC   287,732,945    MICROCELL 1 2 1      221, 321
BELL ATLANTIC MOBILE 226, 258    PCC MANAGEMENT       230, 231
COLONIAL COMM SYS    233    VANGUARD CELL SYS    241, 826
BELLSOUTH WIRELESS   264    APC                  272
AMERICAN PAGING      274    ARCH COMM GROUP INC  277, 279
BELL MOBILITY        303    BC TEL MOBILITY      328
FREEMAN ENG ASSOC    332    PAGING SYSTEMS INC   357, 368
RADIO CAR DAKOTA CEL 380    COMM INNOVATIONS COR 404
TRIAD OK L P         405    CGI CORP             424
GEOTEK COMM INC      436    ACCESSLINE TECHNOL   438
UNICOM CORP          456    EDWARD A SMITH       464
GTE MOBILE COMM      480, 486    US INTELCO NTWKS INC 487, 937
AWESOME PAGING INC   503    TELECOMM PREMIUM SVC 546
IDB MOBILE COMM      581    SPRINT CELLULAR CO   614
TRILLIUM CELLULAR CO 620    MAINSTREET COMM      622
NEW CELL             638    DEADWOOD CELLULAR    641
ROGERS CANTEL        662    NATIONWIDE WIRELESS  666
ISLAND TEL MOBILITY  734    MTS MOBILITY         687
MT&T MOBILITY        688    MOBILETEL INC        691
LAFOURCHE            693    DURANGO CELLULAR     749
COMCAST CELL COMM    753, 777    SPRINGWICH CELL LTD  757
ED TEL MOBILITY      767    MESSAGE CENTER USA   772
SNET PAGING INC      774    RAM TECHNOLOGIES     784
TRIAD UT L P         801    TRIAD TX L P         806
QUEBECTEL MOBILITE   835    NATIONWIDE PAGING    840
GTE MOBILE COMM      846    GCI CORP             907
AGT MOBILITY         987    GTE TEL OPERATIONS   841
ALLTEL SVCS CORP     202    DIAL CALL            220
CN COMMUNICATIONS    234    COMM GATEWAY NET     246
VBI                  255    ALLTEL MOBILE        262
PAGE MART            275, 543    LDDS METROMEDIA      276
U S WEST NEW VECTOR  282    NYNEX MOBILE         299
MORRIS COMM          302    SASKTEL MOBILITY     306
PAC BELL MOBILE  289,342,373    OMEGA CELLULAR       349
WIRELESS ONE     426,454,966    GTE TELOPS           483
CAL ONE CELLULAR     499    WILKES T & E         556
TWO WAY RADIO OF NC  599    NEXTEL COMMUNICATION 639
AIRTOUCH COMM  400,600,700,800    NPB TELECOM          672
PTI COMMUNICATIONS   684    SW BELL MOBILE       720, 721
PITTENCRIEFF         724, 725    OMNIPOINT            624, 726
COMSAT MOBILE        728    NEWTEL MOBILITY      735
PAGE NET             737, 738    POINT COMMUNICATIONS 752
METRO CALL           754    AMSAT                758, 760
OHIO STATE CELLULAR  769    FIRST PAGE USA       787
PAC WEST TELECOM     808    THUNDER BAY MOBILITY 827
TRIAD MN CELLULAR    235    COX ENTERPRISES      843
ADVANCED RADIO TECH  238    U S CELLULAR         247, 529, 755
ONE COMM             510    NB TEL MOBILITY      628
RESERVE COMPUTER     762    E T COMMUNICATIONS   771
CAMPTI-PLEASANT HILL 792    USA MOBILE           862, 973
QUESTAR COMM         947        ------------         ---


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: In the listing above, who is Edward A.
Smith (500-464)?  Just wondering.   PAT]

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

From: Anthony Chor <[e-mail]>
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 94 15:19:24 PST
Subject: Re: Caller ID With Call Waiting


Jason White writes:

> It was also mentioned that Caller-ID would work with call-waiting;
> if you're on the phone and get the call-waiting beep, you'd also see
> who was calling you so you could "decide whether it's worth switching
> to the other call."  My question is: how is this implemented.  I'd
> hate to think that I'm going to have a 1200 baud data burst come
> roaring over the line while I'm trying to talk.  Anyone know anything
> more about how this?

In Caller ID on Call Waiting (CIDCW), the user is informed of the
incoming call via an alerting signal. This alerting signal is composed
of the Subscriber Alerting Signal (SAS -- this is the call waiting beep)
and a CPE Alerting Sequence (CAS). If your CPE replies with a DTMF D,
it is CIDCW compatible. If your CPE replies with DTMF A, then it is
both CIDCW and ADSI compatible.

So, if you have a Caller ID box which is CIDCW compatible, it will
mute your handset and reply with a DTMF D. (The switch will mute the
far-end's voice path before sending the alerting signal, so the caller
won't hear all this.) Once the switch receives your ACK, it will
transmit the CID info and will restore the far-end's voice path. Your
CPE is expected to restore your handset operation.

If your CPE does not ACK within some period of time, the switch will
restore the far-end's voice path, NOT deliver CID information, and
will proceed like normal call waiting.


Tony Chor   Microsoft Corporation
Program Manager, Telecom Product Unit

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

From: [e-mail] (Carl Oppedahl)
Subject: Re: Information Wanted: Pulse Rate in India
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 23:00:49 GMT
Organization: Oppedahl & Larson


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(M.A. Kumar) writes:

> I am setting up a modem for a friend of mine in India and the
> initialization requires the selection of proper pulse rate. Can
> someone tell me from the following three which one is correct for
> India:

> 1)      make/break ratio of 39% / 61% and 10 PPS (USA/Canada)
>         [DEFAULT SETTING]
> 2)      make/break ratio of 33% / 67% and 10 PPS (UK/Hong Kong)
> 3)      make/break ratio of 33% / 67% and 20 PPS (Japan).

It depends on the central office.  The correct answer might differ
from one central office to the next.

Have you tried the three choices?  If so, what results did you get?

Are you sure you can't use touch tone?

I would try 3, because if it works it will dial your numbers very quickly.

If not that, then try 2, given India's historic ties to the UK.  Then, if not
that, then try 1.


Carl Oppedahl
Oppedahl & Larson, patent law firm
[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (S. Bapat)
Subject: Re: Cellular Roaming in New York Suspended
Date: 20 Dec 1994 04:08:50 GMT


[e-mail] (Paul Beker) writes:

> The ESN problem is a much, much bigger issue that won't be solved
> anytime soon, in the U.S.  My solution?  Move to an intelligent
> cellular architecture (ala GSM, or GSM-like), which actually contains
> hooks and facilities to begin to address this issue.  Any algorithm or
> validation scheme is beatable, but one of significant complexity would
> certainly turn away the vast majority of the "crooks" ...

Random, idle, blue-sky thought: could be possible to use a challenge/
response authentication model for cell phone security, using perhaps a
public-key/private-key encryption scheme based on PGP or RSA (or a
digital signature mechanism)?

For example, each cell phone could have a really long (e.g. 1K)
private key burned into EPROM. When it first sends out its ESN, the
base station would look up the ESN its database and send out a
challenge bit pattern, which could only be decoded with the private
key in the cell phone.  The call would only proceed if the cell phone
responds to challenge successfully.

Compared to the cost of the cell phone, the cost of adding a 1K or 2K
EPROM would be marginal.  In the event that the cell phone's security
is compromised (e.g. someone records both your ESN and your cell
phone's response to the challenge and uses both to spoof you), you
could take it in to a branch office and have the EPROM reprogrammed
with a new private key.

Call setup times would be a couple of seconds longer (due to the
overhead of an extra database lookup) but quite possible many users
would accept this considering the benefits involved.


Subodh Bapat    [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Alain Fontaine)
Subject: Re: Handshaking: Computer-Computer or Modem-Computer?
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 03:13:05 +0100
Organization: Universite Catholique de Louvain


In article (Dans l'article) <[e-mail]>, martyj@
mrcnext.cso.uiuc.edu (martin johnson) wrote:

> Is handshaking, ie xon/xoff or RTS/CTS, just between a computer and
> its local modem or is it passed on to the remote modem and remote
> computer? Can a modem whose RTS goes low, pass the fact of that event
> to the remote modem by sending a Xoff? If a remote computer sends a
> Xoff thru its modem, and my local modem receives it, will it lower CTS
> if xon/xoff is disabled?  Any enlightenment is appreciated. Ive been
> using and setting up lots of communications equipment for at least ten
> years, and just realized that I dont know the answers to the above!

Things have changed a lot in ten years. Ten (mmm, let's say fifteen to
be sure) years ago, modems were just that: boxes containing a
modulator and a demodulator, with sometimes a few additional circuits
like a relay to connect the modem to the line and a ring detector. The
data communication interfaces we are still seeing today were invented
at that time, and their purpose was to allow the host to exercise a
direct and detailed control on those simple electronic functions. If
dialing by the computer was needed, one had to add another box, with a
second (parallel) interface to the computer.

Then came the era of 'intelligent' modems. The box called 'modem' now
contains, besides the electronic circuits performing the base
functions, what can be described as a computer. This computer
controls the electronic functions of the modem, and also performs some
new functions like error correction and data compression. So the
nature of the interface between host computer and modem has changed:
it is now rather a computer to computer link. Since there is a
computer in the modem itself, the way it reacts to interface signals
and/or particular values in the data depends on the way the (modem)
computer is programmed. The user has some control on its behavio(u)r
by means of the various at commands and s registers.

When data correction is used, the computers inside the modems use a
sophisticated protocol between them. This protocol allows (of course)
the transport of user data, with full error correction and 'transparent'
flow control. On each end of the link, a flow control mechanism may be
used between the computer in the modem and the host computer. A
different mechanism may indeed be used at each end of the link: the
computers in the modems are doing the necessary 'translation'. It all
depends on the way the modems are programmed.

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #459
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
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To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #460

TELECOM Digest     Tue, 20 Dec 94 03:04:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 460

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (John Perkins)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Josh Backon)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Bob Goudreau)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Eric Tholome)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Andreas Pavlik)
    Re: Great News For BellSouth ISDN (Wes Leatherock)
    Re: Direct Inward Dialing on Voice Mail Card; Other PC Card? (Al Niven)
    Re: Exchange Voice-Mail (Al Niven)
    Re: Exchange Voice-Mail (Joe Portman)
    Re: Pager Advice Wanted (John David Galt)
    Re: T1 + Ethernet -> Fiber (Paul A. Lee)
    Re: Help Wanted With Phone Test Device (Arthur P. Dent)
    Re: Channelling Phone Line Through a Leased Line (Greg Tompkins)
    Re: 1200 Bell Atlantic Workers Suspended in Labor Dispute (Paul Robinson)
    Re: T3 or T1 Demux'd to RS-232 or TCP/IP? (Joe Portman)
    Commercial ATM Service and Forums (Michael Wong)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
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Subscriptions are available at no charge to qualified organizations
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should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (John Perkins)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Organization: Rosemount, Inc.
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 23:59:48 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(Steve McKinty - SunSoft ICNC Grenoble) writes:

>>     Great Britain and N.Ireland 112

> As for France, 112 is the new number and will work in the UK, but for
> 50 years 999 has been the number, and I suspect that if you stop
> people in the street and ask, 100% of answers will be '999'.

Quite.

The number '999' is a simple and easy to remember number that, as you
say, has been used in Great Britain for about 50 years.  I haven't
heard of any other country that has had a nationwide emergency number
that long, a number that is familiar to the entire population over the
age of 18 months.

How can any other number possibly be superior?

It really is a shame that the rest of the world was unable to bring itself
to adopt this number as a universal standard.


John Perkins

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Emergency numbers in Various Countries
Organization: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 03:33:15 GMT


In Israel, nationwide emergency numbers are:

100: police
101: ambulance
102: fire dept

In addition, certain cities have *emergency* numbers for municipal
complaints (burst water main, tree branches down in a storm etc.); in
Jerusalem the number is 106. The electric company also has a nationwide
*emergency* number: 103.

If we're already talking telecom, there was a front page story last
week in the papers about new recruits in army boot camp bringing their
cellular phones with them! The colonel went ballistic. They simply
couldn't find any rule in army regulations to prohibit this. The
recruits who brought their cellular phone to boot camp were obviously
a bunch of spoiled rich kids but the phenomenon is interesting. One
kid who was punished by his sergeant to run around the base three
times whipped out his cellular phone and spoke with his girl friend
while running :-)


Josh    [e-mail]

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

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 19:12:28 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Bob Goudreau)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries


[e-mail] (Erling Kristiansen) write:

> As a side remark, I wonder how they came up with 112, which has a very
> high rate of conflict with existing numbers. Most EU countries have
> "0" as first digit to escape from local call to long distance or
> special service.

Yes, but many EU countries have long used numbers beginning with "1"
for other special services, have they not?  What other European
countries besides the Netherlands have (or had) local exchanges that
start with "11" (or even just "1")?  Not many, I believe.


Bob Goudreau        Data General Corporation
[e-mail]    62 Alexander Drive
[phone]        Research Triangle Park, NC  27709, USA

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

From: [e-mail] (Eric Tholome)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 16:09:22 +0200


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Kimmo
Ketolainen) wrote:

>    France            112

This is (still) wrong: actually, 112 will be the unified European
emergency number, in some years (see Yves Blondeel's article for more
details), but in France, and in many other countries, it still has not
been installed. I do not have the details for other countries, but for
France, here's the rule:

dial 17 to get the police;
dial 18 to get the fire brigade;
dial 15 to get an ambulance.

All these numbers are toll free.

If you try to call 112, you get 11, which is our national Minitel
(i.e.  electronic) DA (a great thing, by the way).

Sidenote: I think I remember (from the time I had a GSM handset) that
112 is already available from GSM cellular operators, Europe-wide.
Clearly a good point: most people don't remember emergency number(s)
in their countries; you wouldn't expect them to know them when they
roam in foreign countries, would you?

I'd be interested in knowing how you ended up being told that 112 was
the emergency number for France and other European countries: this has not
been advertised a lot around here...


Eric Tholome
23, avenue du Centre           [e-mail]
78180 Montigny le Bretonneux   phone: [phone]
                    France     fax: same number, call first!

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

From: [e-mail] (Andreas Pavlik)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Date: 20 Dec 94 00:48:06 GMT
Organization: Vienna University Computer Center


>     Austria            122 fire dept, 133 police, 144 ambulance

We want to become member of the EU next week and so we have of course
implemented 112. I am not sure if it is working nationwide. Calls to
112 go to the same police dispatch center which would be reached by
dialling 133.  The existence of 112 is nearly unknown; the Vienna
phone directory lists it hidden between information numbers of
government agencies as "EURO-NOTRUF" (Euro emergency number).


Andreas Pavlik   University of Vienna   E-mail: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 94 09:21:01 GMT
Subject: Re: Great News for BellSouth ISDN


Quoting [e-mail] (Ed Goldgehn) <=-

> I found out today that BellSouth just got approval for providing
> ISDN through Foreign Exchange circuits at no additional charge to
> the customer.

> They previously had approval for no additional cost service when
> it was provided from an alternate CO in the same serving wire
> center.  Now, even if your CO doesn't have it, you get it for the
> same price as if it did.

    The second paragraph of this statement is puzzling.  What is an
"alternate CO in the same serving wire center"?  Why would any
approval be needed for this?

    A wire center is a location where switching equipment is located.
How can there be an "alternate CO in the same serving wire center"?  A
wire center is virtually synonymous with a central office.  There may
be more than one prefix, but ordinarily any of the prefixes may be
assigned to work any telephones or other lines served from that wire
center.  The prefixes may or may not represent discrete switches; one
switch may provide service for several prefixes.  But how can any one
be an "alternate" for another?  Each is as much a part of that wire
center as any other.


Wes Leatherock
[e-mail]
[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Al Niven)
Subject: Re: Direct Inward Dialing on Voice Mail Card; Other PC Card?
Date: 19 Dec 1994 12:15:09 -0500
Organization: The Pipeline


Barton Bruce commented on voicemail and DID.

We have some extra DID cards available used at $500 per two ports.
These are Voice Pro DID cards and we will warranty them for one year.


Al Niven
Video, Voice, and Data, Inc.
292 Fifth Avenue, #201
NY NY 10001
212-714-3531 voice

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

From: [e-mail] (Al Niven)
Subject: Re: Exchange Voice-Mail
Date: 19 Dec 1994 12:16:33 -0500
Organization: The Pipeline


[e-mail] (Prime perf) wrote:

> Voice mail to E-mail interchange has not been standardized although
> several vendors including AVT and VMX provide a desktop connection
> over a local area network that presents the list waiting messages in a
> format similar to most E-Mail systems. AVT allows the subscriber to
> hear a E-Mail message (you have to listen very carefully as the
> text-to-speech is less than perfect). This is useful specially if you
> are away from the office and are expecting an important E-Mail. You
> can then have the E-Mail message FAXed to you.

There are other lan vms systems with all the features of avt, etc.
that are cheaper and better. Suite Talker Plus Net comes to mind.  We
have been doing business with DemoSource for over six happy years.

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

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 10:39:24 -0800
From: Joe Portman <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Exchange Voice-Mail
Organization: Alternate Access Inc.


> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Somewhere a few years ago I experimented
> with a voice mail system which had a provision for exchange of mail
> with other systems. I cannot for the life of me remember where this
> was or who made it. All the users had regular voice mail numbers, but
> there were a series of special boxes where you entered the number for
> that box, then entered the number of the user on some other system and
> at a certain time each day the systems 'polled' each other and exchanged
> messages. I sure wish I could remember where it was ... I think it might
> have been the system Illinois Bell was using a few years ago, and I
> do not think the exchange of messages between systems had been implemented
> when I was looking at it.   PAT]

One such company was Boston Technology, now defunct (actually sold to
a company named CTI).

Their product did "analog networking". The messages were sent by
coding the compressed data file into touch tones. Fairly slow and
expensive, but no generation loss.

There was also a provision to network mailboxes via IP networking, and
in fact their CO based equipment did this. One or two machines would
be dedicated "mailbox servers", a number of machines would be "voice
port" servers (with the voice mail cards in them) and other machines
would be "smdi" or ANI "switches", which took the call and routed it
to the appropriate machine with the calling/called party information.
Very slick stuff.

As an aside, is SAJ (you know who you are) anywhere on the net. Quite
a good programmer.


Joe Portman - Alternate Access Inc.

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Pager Advice Wanted
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 94 23:56:13 PST


Here's one I've wondered about for awhile.  Does anyone sell a phone
pager that will also take the place of my car alarm pager?


John David Galt

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

Date: Thu, 15 Dec 1994 11:56:08 -0500
Subject:  T1 + Ethernet -> Fiber
From: Paul A. Lee </DD.ID=JES2CAOF.UEDCM09/@SMX.sprint.com>
Organization: Woolworth Corporation


In TELECOM Digest Volume 14 Issue 447, Joseph H. Allen <[e-mail].
com> wrote (in part):

> My company is upgrading both their computer system (my responsibility)
> and their phone system (outside contractor).  In the process, we are
> installing a cable between two sites.  Currently, this cable will contain
> a fiber pair for linking two lans together and 75-pairs of copper for the
> PBX.

> The fiber costs $.45 per foot and the copper costs ~$1.10/foot.  The
> distance is 3000 ft.

First and foremost, consider the installation cost and plan for the
future.  The cost of either fiber or copper is relatively small,
compared to the cost of installing the cable. Installation costs can
range from $4 per foot for shallow plow-in under turf to $30 or more
per foot for a ducted installation under pavement.

The cheapest way to gain flexibility and expansion capacity for future
needs is to install more fiber than you need. If you need one pair of
multimode fiber now, then install three pairs. I wouldn't go with less
than three pairs in any case, unless there is *absolutely no chance*
for future growth (very unlikely). Multimode fiber is still a
reasonably safe bet unless bandwidth requirements are growing rapidly
or are already high enough to warrant single mode end equipment.

If the cable run is going under pavement -- and *especially* if it is
going under a public right-of-way -- I strongly advise a ducted
installation, even if direct burial is permitted. The duct will help
protect your cable and can more than pay for its cost by providing
future flexibility by allowing (a) new cable(s) to be pulled in.

> I plan on using these little $100 boxes which convert ethernet to
> fiber and use some extra PCs w/linux as bridges.

You might be able to use relatively simple Ethernet-to-fiberoptic
repeaters if the traffic load itself doesn't require segmenting the
LAN.

> I would like to know if there are boxes which take both ethernet and
> T1 (or whatever signal a pdx is likely to have) and multiplex them
> together onto the fiber so that the copper cable is not needed.

I've seen some units that would handle what you're considering, but it
would be cheaper to install additional fiber pairs for the distance
being dealt with. The separation of the signals onto their own fibers
will also provide some additional options, as explained below.

> Is it likely that the PBX can use a single T1 (or whatever) more
> easily than seperate copper pairs?

It's likely, but it depends on the particular PBX involved, as well as
on what kind of connectivity and features are desired in the remote
building.

Many current PBXs support some kind of remote module or shelf arrangement
that operates as if it were a physical part of the "main" PBX. The
remote may be connected through one or two pairs of fiber using a
proprietary transmission scheme or through one or two T1 links through
whatever transmission medium.

It may also possible to connect a satellite PBX through one or more T1
or PRI links. The level of functionality available between the two
PBXs will depend on what PBXs are used and whether they're capable of
ISDN or CCS interconnection.

It's also feasible to use one or more T1 channels to provide multiplexed
station loops to phone sets in the remote building.  Single-line
(2500-type) sets can be supported through some combination of DS1
interface card and/or SLiC- type channel bank, depending on the PBX
involved. There are also D4 channel bank cards that support some types
of proprietary, multi-button phone sets from a few PBX manufacturers.

With more information about the PBX and station equipment involved,
the station features and functions needed at the remote building, the
physical installation requirements for the cable, and the growth
potential, it would be easier to advise what kind of connection would
be most economical and advantageous to use. The most important thing
to keep in mind, though, is that a reasonable growth margin should be
provided in the cable.


Paul A. Lee                           Voice  414 357-1409
Telecommunications Analyst              FAX  [phone]
Woolworth Corporation            CompuServe  70353,566
INTERNET  </DD.ID=JES2CAOF.UEDCM09/@SMX.sprint.com>  <=PREFERRED ADDRESS*

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

From: [e-mail] (Arthur P. Dent)
Subject: Re: Help Wanted With Phone Test Device
Date: 19 Dec 1994 16:57:41 -0500
Organization: FishNet


Greg Philmon ([e-mail]) wrote:

> I've seen devices that allow you to bypass the local exchange and
> perform phone testing within your office.

 ... the latest TechniTool catalogue lists:

"TLS 3 Telephone Line Simulator, the Portable CO"

It's a little black box with RJ11s and two sets of 'gators that allow
you to connect two handsets (or faxes, modems, PBX, whatever) and have
them act as if connected to a real switch.

 ... it supplies dialtone, busy tone, and ringback for two lines,
and allows you to talk between them ... no mention of assigning telephone
numbers to the lines in the ad, however.

Lists for $475.

(Incidentally, I do not work for TechniTool, and I think most of their
equipment is *way* overpriced.)

It's always interesting to look thru the catalogue, tho.

The number is [phone]


Hope this helps,

Arthur P. Dent, esq.    [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Greg Tompkins)
Subject: Re: Channelling Phone Line Through a Leased Line
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 1994 14:11:32 -0800
Organization: Teleport - Portland's Public Access [phone]


> If they are only 15 miles apart, an FX line may be cheaper than a
> leased line and there is no equipment necessary.

Unfortunately, Foreign Exchange lines are not allowed in the state of
Oregon.  I don't know why.  I called the PUC about this and they
confirmed it.  They don't allow them because of Extended Area Service.
The Portland metro EAS is the largest in the country (as far as square
miles.)  I think there are some points that are 60 miles from each
other and are still considered a local call.  Unfortunately, I only
live 15 miles from the fringe of this great region, and I want to get
a phone line to it.  That is what I want to do.

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

Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 10:35:48 EST
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: 1200 Bell Atlantic Workers Suspended in Labor Dispute


> There were roughly 1500 workers suspended for two days;
> the CWA has filed charges with the NLRB against the company for
> ordering members to take off the T-shirts. The union had notified the
> company in advance that this was a concerted activity protected under
> Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act. Freedom of speech
> either applies universally or not at all; the Constitution doesn't
> have an off switch for employers.

Yes it does, unless your employer is the government.  The only
provision of the Constitution of the United States that can be held
applicable to private parties is the 13th Amendment.  ("Neither
slavery nor involuntary servitude shall exist within the United
States...").

Now, whether Federal Law sets restrictions on retaliatory actions by
Bell Atlantic against conduct by its employees during company time is
another matter, but the Constitution is a limitation on the actions of
government, not upon private parties.


Paul Robinson - [e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Actually I think even the government
can set some limits on the speech of its employees under the theory
that the government as an *employer* is not the same thing as the
government as a *governor*. By that I mean you are free to change your
employment anytime you are unhappy with the place where you work;
likewise there is no constitutional requirement or provision that the
government employ whoever asks to be employed by it. You have no
right to government employment nor any obligation in that way, thus
the government is 'like any other employer' in that sense. Shut up
and get back to work ... no backtalk from you!  <grin> ... On the
other side of this, because it is very inconvenient to change our
governor, if not impossible, constitutional protections exist to
protect us against government excesses. You can work wherever you
please, at whatever makes you happy. You can't really live outside
the reach of the government, and that is the difference.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Joe Portman)
Subject: Re: T3 or T1 Demux'd to RS-232 or TCP/IP?
Organization: Alternate Access Inc.
Date: Mon, 19 Dec 1994 18:45:01 GMT


Mark Silbernagel ([e-mail]) wrote:

> I am interested in your opinion on how to best manage a point-of-sale
> card swipe application. The plan calls for ~4000 sites, each having
> ~10 devices. At any given moment in the day, they expect about 700
> calls to be 'in progress'. Each device is one of those small boxes you
> see at the store which calls and authorizes card transactions.

> The idea of being able to demux a T1 (or T3!) into serial ports ... or
> better still a TCP/IP stream, is appealing. The data will then be
> managed by a UNIX box or boxes.

US Robotics does make a VERY nice piece of equipment, the "Total
Control" digital modem rack. With the right cards in it, two T1's (or
single E1) come in one side, ethernet comes out the other. Very nice,
and very expensive. Approximately $60,000 for 48 V.34 modems and the
required T1, IP and other cards. Your 700 simultaneous calls would
need a lot of these.


Joe Portman - Alternate Access Inc.

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

From: [e-mail] (Michael Wong)
Subject: Commercial ATM Service and Forums
Date: 20 Dec 1994 06:06:40 GMT
Organization: Achilles Network Services - Internet Provider


The commercial ATM service is available in France where most users can
get access to France Telecom's CBDS (Connectionless Broadband Data
Service) over an ATM network.

As far as ATM-switch suppliers are concerned, we have:

(a) Alcatel based in France;
(b) SynOptics (LattisCell) and Newbridge Networks Corporation
    based in North America.

As a data carrier (i.e. AT&T or Sprint), ATM enables main offices that
process large volumes of data, to connect to fast frame relay service,
while branch offices connect at a slower frame relay speed (64Kbps).

Could anyone please tell me:

(1) is there any specification defining how frame relay frames can
    be mapped to ATM cells (i.e. agreed by both the Frame Relay and
    ATM Forums)?

(2) Some local exchange or interexchange carriers offer ATM
    as Constant Bit Rate (CBR), Variable Bit Rate (VBR) or
    Available Bit Rate (ABR) services.

    (a) Which service is most suitable for videoconferencing application?
    (b) Which service is the best for LAN traffic such as E-mail and
        file transfers using TCP/IP or IPX/SPX protocols?

(3) When is the commercial ATM service available for general use
    similar to the France Telecom's CBDS?


Thank you for your help!

Michael Wong     Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #460
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
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To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #461

TELECOM Digest     Tue, 20 Dec 94 12:06:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 461

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Idea: Residential Always Gets CID; Business Blockable? (Bill Tighe)
    Re: Routing to the Closest Point (Travis Russell)
    Automated Response System Recommendations Wanted ([e-mail])
    Buying GSM-Phones Abroad - a Comment (Juha Veijalainen)
    Re: Portable Voice Telecom System (Mat Watkins)
    Book on GPS and ISDN ([e-mail])
    Caller ID to PC? (David B. Baker)
    Re: DMS-100 vs 5ESS (Harvey Grosser)
    Re: Internet Security Monthly (P. Greenwell)
    Re: Automatic Callback (John Lundgren)
    Re: Looking For MNP Protocol Specs (John Lundgren)
    NYNEX Voicemail Failure (K.M. Peterson)
    500 Service Turned on, Sort of (John Levine)
    Voicemail Security Notes (Fran S. Menzel)
    Help With IS-41 and MAP (Alex Cena)
    Re: Pilgrim Telephone's 1-800 COLLEKT (John Erwin)
    Re: Pilgrim Telephone's 1-800 COLLEKT (Nigel Allen)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available at no charge to qualified organizations
and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify:

                 * [e-mail] *

The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
or phone at:
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                     Skokie, IL USA   60076
                       Phone: [phone]
                        Fax: [phone]
  ** Article submission address only: [e-mail] **

Our archives are located at lcs.mit.edu and are available by using
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use the information service, just ask.

*************************************************************************
*   TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the              *
* International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland    *
* under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES)   *
* project.  Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-*
* ing views of the ITU.                                                 *
*************************************************************************

Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such
as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help
is important and appreciated.

All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Bill Tighe)
Subject: Re: Idea: Residential Always Gets CID; Business Blockable?
Date: 20 Dec 94 06:18:10 GMT


[e-mail] once wrote:

> One feature I've always wanted is the ability to assign a new phone
> number for each and every relationship with each and every person.
> Thus, when my friend Affa calls me on the Affa-emergency number, I
> know I should stop everything and answer it, but when my enemy Charlie
> calls me on his emergency line I can safely ignore it once I ascertain
> who it is.  I could even set it to the "Disconnected" intercept ...

What about telemarketers, who will call you on every one of your
numbers?  You may be very busy answering the phone.


Bill Tighe    Email:  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Travis Russell)
Subject: Re: Routing to the Closest Point
Date: 20 Dec 1994 14:44:31 GMT
Organization: Tekelec, Inc.


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] says:

> [e-mail] (Ted Koppel) writes in Telecom Digest No. 445 writes:

>> Questions:

>> 1. How does Southern Bell make these geographical decisions?  Central
>> office prefixes? City limits?  County limits?

>> 2. Will the specific branches of a store still be accessible through
>> their own direct phone numbers?  (That is, I may actually want to call
>> a branch further from my home than the one that Southern Bell routes
>> me to.)

> This is probably being done using AIN (Advanced Intelligent Network).
> While it sounds complicated it really isn't.

Pizza Hut is using just such a feature. By calling 1800-xxx-xxxx you
are automatically routed to the closest Pizza Hut store. This is
accomplished through a service offered by the telco's. The routing
decision is based on the database maintained by the telco. Using SS7,
the calling number is compared to the database to determine which
store to route to (based on the calling number).

Pizza Hut is getting more than just call routing. I am told through
third party sources that they are also getting name, address, and
calling number info as well. I am not sure whether or not Pizza Hut is
getting the information from their own database or from the telco, but
I understand that they also get a profile of the customer, listing
their previous purchases and payment methods.

I am not sure who is maintaining this database.  Any one out there
know how this is being accomplished?


Travis Russell    [e-mail]

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

Subject: Automated Response System Recommendations Wanted
From: System Operator <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 94 10:49:58 EST
Organization: Decode Systems


Hello,

  We are currently looking for a telephone automated response system
that will provide a caller with a variety of short recorded messages
based on a "member number" entered via a DTMF keypad.

  We will have an 800 number connected to this system.  A customer
will call in, be greeted with a welcome message and a prompt to enter
his id number.  Based on this number, a short recorded or synthesized
message would be delivered.

  The ability for the user to leave a message is NOT desired.  If the
caller has questions or would like to speak to a person, the caller
should have the ability to either dial 0 or wait until the end of the
message.

  We are looking to implement this system within the next two months.
Any leads on equipment providers would be appreciated.


  Please email to [e-mail], and I will summarize.


Dan   [e-mail] (System Operator)
Cryptography, Security, Privacy BBS  [phone]   Data/FAX

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

From: [e-mail]
Date: 20 Dec 1994 10:56:00 GMT
Subject: Buying GSM-Phones Abroad - a Comment


All GSM phones should be compatible.  You should be able to buy the
phone anywhere and as long as you have a valid SIM card you should be
able to use it.

There is one thing GSM phone buyers should be aware, though.

In some countries GSM service providers subsidize the phones:  you can
buy your phone at a very cheap price but at the same time you have to
sign a contract with the service provider -- and they charge you extra
for a year or two.

The catch is that if you buy one of these phones and _don't_ pay to
the service provider (ie. buy to phone in Germany, bring it to
Finland, forget all about the German contract), the service provider
might consider the phone 'stolen' (the whole price was not paid) and
the might include the phone's serial number on GSM black list.

All service providers are going to implement this black list next year.
It's based on the phones' serial numbers (IMEI), so a phone on the list
cannot be used even with a valid SIM card.

So, check what sort of phone you buy.  Also, if you buy a used phone you
should be very careful.


Juha Veijalainen    System analyst, tel. [phone]
Unisys Finland    Internet: [e-mail]

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

From: Mat Watkins <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Portable Voice Telecom System
Date: 20 Dec 1994 03:54:20 GMT
Organization: Dept. of Comp. Sci., Victoria Uni. of Wellington, New Zealand.


[e-mail] (Uri Segev) wrote:

> My company needs a telecommunication system for the production floor,
> for portable voice and data (control and command) communication.

> I heard of FREESET system of ERICSSON that might be appropriate for
> our needs.  I think the distributor of this system in Sweden is TELIA.

> I need a fax number to get in contact with TELIA people, or anybody
> else that can discuss this system technically.

Hi Uri

Freeset is one of the products of the Bussiness Networks group within
Ericsson.  You may be interested in having a look at their Web site
which is htpp://www.ericsson.nl

Contact Details for their head office are:

Ericsson Bussiness Netwroks AB
s-135 Tyreso Sweden
Telephone [phone]
Facsimile [phone]


Regards,

Mathew Watkins    Voice Network Manager
Information Technology Services
Victoria University of Wellington
New Zealand

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

From: [e-mail] (Nostradamvs)
Subject: Book on GPS and ISDN
Organization: The University of Hong Kong
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 06:05:57 GMT


Would anyone suggest some good books for me to study GPS (Global
Positioning System) and ISDN?

Can I find some information on such topics in internet / through ftp?


Thanks a lot!

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

From: [e-mail] (David B Baker)
Subject: Caller ID to PC?
Date: 20 Dec 1994 04:52:41 -0600
Organization: Louisiana State University


I've been working on this for about a month now with no success.Maybe
one of you who has already done this could help me out ... (please?)

I'm trying to tap the 2211 chip in my Caller ID box and send it via
RS-232 to a serial port on my computer where it could be displayed on
the screen and logged.  The schematics I have call for a mc1488 chip
tapping the CID chip at two pins and sending it to pins 3 and 7 of a
RS-232 cable.

First, is this the 9 pin or the 25 pin cable? The 7 pin apparently is
the ground, but I don't know if that matters in figuring out the cable
type ...

Secondly, I assume I need to power the 1488 chip externally.  Would a
9v battery fall within acceptable operating range?

Finally,if I DO get it to pump raw data into my PC,what is a suitable
program for decoding it? Will the port do it automatically, so I can
just redirect it from the COM port or do I need a terminal program to
do it?

I'd really appreciate some replies on this.As I said, I'm getting
really frustrated at not being able to get this to work properly.I'd
also welcome any suggestions on cheap alternatives to the MC1488 chip
solution.


Dave     E-mail: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Harvey Grosser)
Subject: Re: DMS-100 vs 5ESS
Date: 20 Dec 1994 07:46:16 GMT
Organization: Yoyodyne Propulsion Systems


In article <[e-mail]>, Marty Brenneis <[e-mail]>
wrote:

> Recently Pac*Bell has been on a program of swapping switches around
> in California so they can concentrate all of the DMS100s in the
> northern part of the state and all of the 5ESSs in the southern part.
> I think this makes a lot of sense for reasons that have been discussed
> here in the past.

> My question to the neterati reading this is this; is there a chart
> showing the differences in the software between these two machines. I
> have found several differences on my own that the tech folks at
> Pac*Bell seemed to not know about.

> Here are some things I have found since I got cut to a DMS-100:

> 1. Any line that is not POTS can flash and get stutter dial tone; this
> parks the first connection and will ring you back if you hangup. If
> there are no features provisioned onto that line that use the flash
> function, then dialing anything gets reorder. I found this because my
> first line has call forwarding and return call on it, but not three
> way calling.

When I flash I get stutter dial tone only if the other end of the line
has gone off hook. If the other party has not answered nothing
happens.  This can be useful. My line only rings me back if I hang up
after dialing something and getting reorder, not if I hang up on the
dial tone. When I do this, the other end hears ringback tone (I've
recorded this on my voice mail).

> 2. THE SPEED DIAL KILLER: When dialing a feature code before a call,
> i.e. call forwarding or cancel call waiting, you must pause for the
> stutter dialtone to stop after the code before dialing the number. On
> the 1ESS I was on I could send 72#258XXXX as one string, on the
> DMS-100 I must send 72#P258XXXX. I had to reprogram a friend's modem
> setup to add a comma to the dialing string after the 70# to kill the
> call waiting.

I don't subscribe to any features, but I can dial *67 (call privacy
toggle), and start dialing the number without waiting for the stutter
to stop. Incidentally, I can dial 1-510 (my area code) followed by
some three-digit codes: for example 1-510-611 gets me repair service just
like 611.

I tried dialing 1-510-*67 with the following results:

a) Instead of a stutter d.t., there's a pause, a click, and then a dial
   tone. I have to wait before dialing.

b) If I flash the hook while on a call to get a stutter d.t., 1-510-*67
   will drop the first connection so I don't get a reorder when I dial.

c) I dialed 1-510-*67 three times in a row; the first two times it
   worked as described above; the third time it locked up my phone line
   (battery but no dial tone) for a day and a half over the Thanksgiving
   weekend until I could call repair service from a payphone and get them
   to reset the line. BUMMER!!! Fortunately I subscribe to the Message
   Center, so I could at least receive incoming messages.

> Are there other differences? Does anybody at Pac*Bell have a clue?  It
> would be really cool if Pac*Bell had a list like this available for
> the customers who ask to help clear up problems.

Yeah, they drastically reduced the timeout. It's still 15 seconds
before dialing the first digit, and increased to about 20 secs when
only the last four digits remain to be dialed. Between those limits the
timeout is down to only four seconds, which means that it frequently
times out when I pause to read the next digit. A four second pause, by the
way, is the rotary equivalent of the # key: e.g., 72# is the same as
72<4s timeout>. This means that the switch is indiscriminately looking
for a termination signal for the digits you've dialed, instead of only
looking for it when they form a valid code such as 72.

This applies to the 835 exchange in the 510 area code, which cut over
to a DMS-100 in Oct. 93.

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

From: [e-mail] (P. Greenwell)
Subject: Re: Internet Security Monthly
Date: 20 Dec 1994 06:39:53 -0800
Organization: Access InfoSystems


NSO account ([e-mail]) wrote:

> Network Security Observations, leading international research journal
> on network security, announces the birth of its sister publication
> INTERNET SECURITY MONTHLY.

> A mix of news briefs on incidents, accidents and potholes on the
> datahighway, and a carefully selected set of essentials of immediate
> importance to the network user, fill Internet Security Monthly.
> Professional reporting on and senior network experience in network
> system security warrant so. Focussing on firewalls, unix security,
> cryptography, privacy, legislation, and contributions to the
> international debates on how to protect your connections, the security
> of the net, integrity of data/messages, risks, and many more vital
> topics are covered.

> Special sponsorship has made it possible to keep the subscription
> rates low: including airmail delivery an international subscription
> costs US $ 120, in the United States US $ 95.

Gosh what a deal! Another company is going to repackage freely
available information and sell it. Ohhh, I have my checkbook in hand.

> Overwhelming worldwide interest prevents to honor requests for
> trial-orders, samples and review copies.

Oh yeah, I bet. Get the people to fork over money before they realize
that they got nothing ...


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well in fairness to them, you should
remember that there are lots of people/organizations out there which
*help research and locate* 'public' information. In other words, yes
the information they propose to distribute is for the most part free
and obtainable *if you know where to look* -- the internet being such
a huge place these days -- but for a lot of newcomers to the net, it
is simply easier to pay someone else to locate specific items of interest
and save them the time.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: Automatic Callback
Date: 20 Dec 1994 01:26:13 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


alain arnaud ([e-mail]) wrote:

> I need to set up an automatic callback system. In more details,
> someone calls the system, let it ring once or twice and hangs up.  The
> system calls him back and provides a dial tone.

This could be done with any of the more intelligent modems and some
software.  You might be able to do it with a script file in one of
your favorite telecomm programs, such as Procomm plus.  External
modems only require a serial port.  My Zyxel modem detects DTMF
frequencies, and can synth voice, etc.  The modem could be made to
dial out and flash, to transfer a call or forward it.


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: Looking For MNP Protocol Specs
Date: 20 Dec 1994 01:30:51 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


Chris Kalisiak ([e-mail]) wrote:


>     I am looking for the MNP protocol specs from Microcom. If
> anyone knows where I can find them on the 'net, please let me know.

I've seen mnp specs on the net somewhre, but I can't remember where.
Try one of the comp.dcom.modems or comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware.modems
newsgroups.  Also, there should be some modem FAQs on the news.answers
newsgroup.


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 06:33:35 -0500
From: [e-mail] (K. M. Peterson)
Subject: NYNEX Voicemail Failure


As I write this, NYNEX seems to be recovering from what I was told was
a LATA-wide failure of their voice mail system ("NYNEX Call Answering").

Naturally, I'm rather concerned, as I'm in the interview process for new
work for early next year.

Anyone know if this happens more than very infrequently?  One of the
reasons that I was interested in this service was that it was billed as
highly reliable.

(BTW, it seems to have affected at least one ISDN customer that I know
of ...)


K. M. Peterson <[e-mail]>                  voice:  [phone]
Independent Consultant -- Systems and Networks   fax:  [phone]

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 11:32:15 GMT
From: [e-mail] (John Levine)
Subject: 500 Service Turned on, Sort of


{Network World} reports that AT&T's 500 service tariff went into
service at the end of last week. But before people can actually use
500 numbers, local telcos have to program their switches to know how
to route 500 calls.

At this point, the only place set up is Nevada Bell in the Las Vegas
area.  (Yes, I know that L.V. is non-Bell , but that's what {Network
World} said.)


Regards,

John Levine, [e-mail]
Primary perpetrator of "The Internet for Dummies"


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Here in the 312/708 area, as of Tuesday
morning, December 20, such calls were intercepted immediatly after the
dialing of 1-500 with an intercept message saying call could not be
completed as dialed. It waits for no additional digits after the 1-500
and immediatly cuts in with the intercept.   PAT]

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

From: f.s.menzel <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 13:21:11 GMT
Subject: Voicemail Security Notes


I (blush) naturally prefer AT&T equipment, but am sending this in the
spirit of helping fellow TELECOMers avoid pain.

Since voice mail systems have become commonplace, they have become the
criminal hackers' favorite vehicle for stealing telephone calls
(a.k.a. toll fraud).

Your system should be configured in such as way as to not allow
callers from outside to make calls from your voice mail system to
their destination of choice.  Most voice mail systems provide a
transfer function that allows callers to choose to transfer their call
to a different extension rather than leave a voice mail message.  The
misuse of this function can result in impressive phone bills when
those seeking free phone calls transfer to offshore locations rather
than local extensions.  Current law holds the equipment owner
responsible for all calls emanating from their system, whether
fraudulent or not.

Voice mail and PBX/KEY systems typically have several ways to control
such transfers, including forbidding it altogether.

Please be sure you understand your options and have your system
installed in a manner that precludes toll fraud.  Oh yes, and consider
mailbox security.  I'm sure it's not in your best interest to share
corporate secrets with your competition, so please educate your users
about using meaningful mailbox passwords and be sure that your guest
mailboxes don't invite hackers to take them over and use them as
depositories for information about how to break into your or others'
computer and telephone systems.


Fran Menzel, Security Core Team,
AT&T Global Business Communications Systems
908-957-5615

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 94 12:24:33 EST
From: Alex Cena <[e-mail]>
Subject: Help With IS-41 and MAP


Can someone help me with the differences between IS-41 protocol used
by cellular networks in the U.S. and MAP used by GSM?  Are they
compatible so an existing cellular carrier who purchases a PCS license
and builds a DCS1900 offer nationwide roaming between cellular and
PCS?  i.e. I have a cellular license in Chicago and a PCS license in
New York -- can my subscriber in New York roam on my network in Chicago.


Regards,

Alex

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

From: [e-mail] (John Erwin)
Subject: Re: Pilgrim Telephone's 1-800-COLLEKT
Date: 20 Dec 1994 07:08:52 GMT
Organization: Concentric Research Corporation


> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I did try it out, and it does indeed
> respond with a duck quacking several times followed by a voice saying
> 'welcome to Pilgrim Telecom' or something like that. They ask you to
> enter the number you are calling, then speak your name. You are then
> put on hold and hear nothing for the next several seconds up to a
> minute while the call is placed (and in my case rejected, as I don't
> pay for collect calls!  grin) ...    PAT]

I found something interesting out about this number:

I used it to call my cellular phone collect, and it worked! This means
you can get free phone calls to your cell phone from Pilgrim because
they're network doesn't recognize that the cell phone's ANI is unbillable!


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Quack Comments: Don't be too sure about that!
They'll toss it into the billing system, and yes, on first try it will
fall out. It will land at some telco somewhere in a suspense account
after it falls out of the billing system. One or more adjustment clerks
in the legion of back-office employees at telco whose job it is to keep
the suspense ledger's balance as low as possible (at least on the debit
side, where the final transaction will be a write off as uncollectible)
will finally figure it out and reconstruct the paperwork as needed to
push it back into billing *somewhere* -- just off 'his' suspense books.
Even though the ANI is useless, someone will note that the call did
go to your (cellular) phone once they find the telco which owns the
particular exchange serving you. The charge will get to you eventually,
just be patient.  :)    quack quack!    PAT]

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 03:15:06 -0500
Subject: Re: Pilgrim Telephone's 1-800-COLLEKT
From: [e-mail] (Nigel Allen)
Organization: Internex Online (io.org)


It appears that Pilgrim Telephone's 1-800-COLLEKT and 1-800-*UCK-ATT
do not work from Canada, or at least from the two Bell Canada payphones
in Toronto from which I tried to call the numbers.


Nigel Allen, Toronto, Ontario, Canada    [e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Quack: Well, hey, there is a lot more to
Bell Canada than just a couple payphones outside the store where you
shop.  <g> But you realize what this means, don't you?  It means you
won't be able to help John Erwin in his attempts to defraud Pilgrim
of its collect charges.   Quack quack!  I think I will quit for
today and waddle over to my feeding trough and have lunch.   PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #461
******************************


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Date: Tue, 20 Dec 94 13:17:05 CST
From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #462

TELECOM Digest     Tue, 20 Dec 94 13:17:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 462

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Unlicensed Wireless Data Communication (Wayne Stargardt)
    Re: MCI and the Future of the Internet (Sean Doran)
    Re: Idea: Residential Always Gets CID; Business Blockable? (Conrad Kimball)
    DSS Satellite System Information (Bernard A. Doehner)
    Usenet Feed by Satellite? (Antony Heatwole)
    Flat Rate Cellular Phone Service (Greg Tompkins)
    Re: Articles on 800 Pay Services and Cordless Phones (Lyle E. Dodge)
    Telephone Directory For the Entire United States? (Trent Stevens)
    Another Reason Not to Confuse NYNEX With an Actual Phone Company (J Levine)
    Another Datapoint on 800 Debate (Jeff R. Allen)
    What is Cloud Management System? (William M. Davis)
    DSU/CSU Survey (David Thaggard)
    Looking For Home System (J. Kirk Wright)
    Re: T1 + Ethernet -> Fiber (Paul A. Lee)
    Looking For ATM Information (Neil Day)
    Christmas Greetings From AT&T <[e-mail]>
    Seasons Greetings! (Judith Oppenheimer)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available at no charge to qualified organizations
and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify:

                 * [e-mail] *

The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
or phone at:
                    9457-D Niles Center Road
                     Skokie, IL USA   60076
                       Phone: [phone]
                        Fax: [phone]
  ** Article submission address only: [e-mail] **

Our archives are located at lcs.mit.edu and are available by using
anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email
information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to
use the information service, just ask.

*************************************************************************
*   TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the              *
* International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland    *
* under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES)   *
* project.  Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-*
* ing views of the ITU.                                                 *
*************************************************************************

Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such
as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help
is important and appreciated.

All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Unlicensed Wireless Data Communication
Date: 20 Dec 1994 17:47:57 GMT
Organization: Pinpoint Communications, Inc.


Michael Chui <[e-mail]> writes:

>> There is a deeper philosophical issue here, reflected by Michael's
>> "public beaches" analogy. Should the government be in the business of
>> subsidizing the communications desires of educational institutions out
>> of the pockets of the rest of the taxpayers? Is this the "best" use of
>> the spectrum?

> The opportunity cost of not choosing auctioning off a
> particular piece of spectrum for the exclusive use of the winning
> bidder is not the only factor in a meaningful cost-benefit analysis.
> Describing a decision to allocate some non-licensed spectrum as a
> subsidy is thus premature.

> I find the proposals of those advocating the allocation of
> some non-licensed spectrum to be rather intriguing, and a relatively
> modest testbed for non-exclusive spectrum-sharing technology and
> markets.

Granting a "free" license to spectrum without paying the opportunity
cost (whether recognized through auctions or some other mechanism) is
a subsidy. This is true whether the subsidy is granted to a radio/TV
broadcaster, a cellular phone service provider, a taxi company, or a
university using unlicensed radio technology. There is no other
economic term for it. I do concur with Michael's observation that the
presence of a subsidy does not imply a value judgement per se (i.e.,
is it good or bad), since many other considerations can and should be
considered in a "meaningful cost-benefit analysis." The government may
decide that subsidizing a particular application (e.g., military or
public safety use) or a particular special interest group (e.g.,
entrepreneurs, educational institutions) or such has over-riding
social value. But in an era in which we are rethinking the proper
scope and role of government in our country, and the role of
government subsidies and wealth transfers in particular, the historic
approach to spectrum management should also be on the table for
discussion.

Don't get me wrong. Pinpoint Communications was originally conceived
to operate in the shared spectrum bands defined and available under
FCC rules. We have been very happy with that structure. The
justification has been that since no one has the equivalent of
ownership rights, then no one should pay for access. The current
proceeding at the FCC in the 900 MHz band reflects the desires of some
special interests groups to change the rules in this band to give
themselves preferential treatment relative to what the FCC had
previously defined. The FCC's response may be to use auctions to
adjucate among the competing claims. We don't like it, but we can
understand the FCC's response to the barely bridled greed of some of
the petitioners (including some from the Part 15 community). You are
oversimplifying the positions of the very diverse Part 15 community if
you think they are all interested in " non-exclusive
spectrum-sharing." I do not know what technology ax Apple is
specifically grinding, but they appear to be aligned with Metricom,
who is planning to deploy a PCS-like system which will interfere with
a large number of existing Part 15 devices.  When beaches are public,
you can not exclude the undisciplined ... and worse.


Wayne Stargardt   Pinpoint Communications   [e-mail]

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 13:02:14 -0500
Subject: Re: MCI and the Future of the Internet
From: [e-mail] (Sean Doran)
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Mike Schenk wrote:

[RAPME:]
>> For most of its brief, 25-year history, the Internet has been a
>> government project. Access has been free, which is to say, subsidized
>> by the taxpayers through Defense Department and National Science
>> Foundation appropriations.

> What a blatant lie this is! Maybe RAPME should do some more research
> into the Internet.

One could argue that it's an oversimplification, however it is nonetheless
accurate enough that I think this is a slight overreaction.  It's hard
not to oversimplify the rather rich history of the Internet.  (I am
about to do so myself).

> Sometime ago the US backbone indeed was the major foundation of the
> Internet but these times are long gone.

Perhaps Mike Schenk missed "most .. of .. 25 [years]" and is stretching
the length of "long gone", especially since it isn't gone yet.

I posit that the oldest provider of the type of connectivity which led
to the commercial Internet is UUNET, which ramped up in 1987 as a UUCP
provider.  AlterNet, their commercial Internet service, is more recent
(1990), as are those offerings of their competitors.

The CIX was established in March 1991, and it represented the first
real time when the various providers of commercial internetworking
were able to intercommunicate without using the NSFNET backbone
service, thus marking the first step towards making "the major
foundation of the Internet" past tense.

> In fact the Internet would not be what it is today if organizations in
> the rest of the world would not have spent millions of dollars on
> it.  Today, the Internet community wouldn't really care if the US
> backbone collapsed except for the fact that we wouldn't be able to
> send email to people in the US and wouldn't be able to access machines
> in the US, but that's it.

There is no question that the evolution of the Internet is not solely
a USA thing, however commercial Internet services outside the United
States are generally newer than those inside it.  (However, EUNET did
start up in 1982, several years before its U.S.-based counterparts;
their IP services, though, were unrolled in 1990.  Their early market
and activities were also dramatically different from UUNET's).

Moreover, the R&E infrastructure overseas has generally gotten its
costs to connect to the rest of the world offset in part by the
National Science Foundation through the NSFNET International
Cooperative Agreement with Sprint (ICM/ICP) (and in the case of
Canada, an understanding between the NSF and the National Research
Council).

Unfortunately, until the current NSFNET transition is completed in
April, most non-USA networks get their connectivity to overseas
networks by way of the NSFNET backbone service or ICM.  One of the key
issues requiring thought right now is how to keep e.g. European
networks talking with Asia-Pacific networks once the NSFNET backbone
service goes away.

Fortunately, the transition is progressing, and as of a few days ago,
CA*Net has started using MCI and is apparently no longer dependent on
the NSFNET backbone service for primary connectivity to the rest of
the world, thus joining THENET, NYSERNET, OARNET, SURANET and other
regional networks moving away from dependence on that service.

Further details about the transition can be gotten from http://rrdb.merit.edu,
some of which can also be found by ftp at the same place in /pub/transition.


Sean Doran <[e-mail]> / <[e-mail]> / <[e-mail]>
Sr. Network Enginer, SprintLink / NSFNet International Connectivity Project

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

From: [e-mail] (Conrad E. Kimball)
Subject: Re: Idea: Residential Always Gets CID; Business Blockable?
Date: 20 Dec 94 18:04:21 GMT
Organization: Boeing Computer Services, Seattle, WA


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

> Question holds: who would want to remain anonymous when calling a
> residential phone besides a prank caller, or someone cheating on his
> wife who doesn't want his wife to know?

Me.

> I think protecting the privacy of liars is not a good idea; it's not
> my idea of a priority.  This is what really annoys me about the states
> that allow per-line blocking; businesses are the *only* ones who get
> their caller-id, and that's exactly what the states are trying to
> prevent with their stupid no-caller-id laws.

> I'm not advocataing taking away the right of liars to lie, but I'm
> simply making it harder for them to make up the story which they need
> to in order to carry their lie.  Is this who we're defending with *67?

This argument is the same old "if you have nothing to hide, then why
do you object to [insert your favorite intrusive technology or tactic]?"


Conrad Kimball           | Client Server Tech Svcs, Boeing Computer Services
[e-mail] | P.O. Box 24346, MS 7M-HC
[phone]           | Seattle, WA  98124-0346


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: But Conrad, you did not answer the basic
question. If you have nothing to hide, why do you object?  Well, a good
answer might be that all of us have some little thing or another to hide.
Who was it once said that every person has shameful secrets in their
life they would dare not ever share with another person ... ?   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Bernard A Doehner)
Subject: DSS Satellite System Information
Organization: Electrical Engineering @ Rochester Institute of Technology
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 13:38:06 GMT


In a class of mine a short discussion came up about the new satelite
tv system that claims to be using digital communications and enables
you to to view up to 150 channels using just a 18 inch dish -- I guess
the system is called DSS?

I have been trying to dig up some technical specs on this system but
have found nothing. Could someone please show me where I could find a
technical description of this system?


Thanks,

Bernie Doehner [e-mail]
Ham Radio Packet: NU1S @ N0ARY.CA

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 94 10:59:09 GMT
From: Heatwole, Antony <[e-mail]>
Subject: Usenet Feed by Satellite?


I read about a company that sells a Usenet feed by satellite, but I
can't remember the name of the company. Does anyone have any information
about this company or service?


Thanks.

Tony Heatwole
Principal Engineer   TELOGY Networks, Inc.
Gaithersburg, MD     [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Greg Tompkins)
Subject: Flat Rate Cellular Phone Service
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 14:14:35 -0800
Organization: Teleport - Portland's Public Access [phone]


Does anyone know why somebody hasn't started a flat rate cellular
phone service?  I seems to me that this kind of business would do
really well, since the users wouldn't have to pay air time.


 --GREG--

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

From: [e-mail] (Lyle E Dodge)
Subject: Re: Articles on 800 Pay Services and Cordless Phones
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 09:14:05 GMT
Organization: Walla Walla College


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (danny
burstein) writes:

> The December 1994 issue of {Consumer Reports} has some articles of
> special interest to the telecom crowd.

> They also, for good measure, report on the different types of consumer
> batteries available and come to the unsurprising conclusion that just
> about all alkalines are alike and you should buy based on price. (They
> also compare ni-cads, the new Rayovac Renewals, lithium cells, and
> even analyze the "Buddy-L" recharger.)

Did they mentioned anything about the Nickel-Hydryde batteries?  We
currently get those batteries with all our cell-phones for our staff
here.  They have the significant advantage of being able to be charged
anywhere in the decharge cycle without developing a memory.  Just a
wondrin'.


Lyle Dodge   [e-mail]
Telecommunications  Walla Walla College

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

From: [e-mail] (Trent Stevens)
Subject: Telephone Directory For the Entire United States?
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 11:43:18 GMT
Organization: AKT Limited


Is there such a thing?  I've already found one for Switzerland, but
one for the US would also be great, and less prone to obsolescence
than the typical CD-ROM directories that are out now.

If you post an answer, please e-mail me a copy of your message.
Thanks in advance for your responses!


Trent Stevens  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (John R Levine)
Subject: Another Reason Not to Confuse NYNEX With an Actual Phone Company
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 17:35:28 EST


I have cellular service with NYNEX here in Boston.  In August, with
great fanfare they announced that they have new simplified roaming
rates: 59 cents in New England and New York, 79 cents in BAMS
territory, and 99 cents elsewhere.  I have an attractive flyer that
explains all of this.  At the time I called and asked whether these
rates apply regardless of who the carrier is and regardless of A or B
side, and they confirmed that was the case.

Well, it turns out that NYNEX was lying.  They now say that the lower
rates only apply to B carriers, and the 59 cent rate only to other
NYNEX properties.  I'll call the state DPU on Monday and rattle their
cage.  This is pretty slimy even for NYNEX.


Regards,

John Levine, [e-mail]
Primary Perpetrator of "The Internet for Dummies"

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 00:12:05 -0700
From: [e-mail] (Jeff R. Allen)
Subject: Another Datapoint on 800 Debate
Reply-To: Jeff Allen <[e-mail]>


I have no firm opinion on the 800 thing, though it seems a pity to
lose the attractive value of guaranteed-free numbers, but here's
another datapoint:

Apparently the 800 charging has been going on long enough for our
college to get burned by it. We use ATT ACUS, a campus long-distance
system where we dial a number a bit like a calling-card number after
every billable call to make it go through. This way, two roommates
don't need to figure out who's call is who's, and you can call
long-distance from any phone on campus, even semi-public ones, like
ones in labs.

Anyway, beginning this year, all numbers to area code 800 (which used
to go through with no difficulty) require an access code, just like
long-distance has always been. This is so that in the cases where
there is a charge, an account can be charged. It was explained to us
that this was as a result of our college and others like ours taking
baths for several thousands of dollars in the last year. _Someone_ had
to pay the bills, and without an account number to bill, the school is
left holding the bag.


Jeff R. Allen  semi-Senior CS major
(fnord)           South 351d, x4940

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

From: [e-mail] (William M Davis)
Subject: What is Cloud Management System?
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 14:13:06 GMT
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access


I am wondering if anyone has a definition for the term Cloud system as
it pertains to tel/data communications?  This term was mentioned, as I
was told, by AT&T negotiators in meeting with CSX (railroad) as the
system by which they would manage CSX's communication needs.  Anyone
got any ideas?


Mike Davis   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (DavidT4044)
Subject: DSU/CSU Survey
Date: 19 Dec 1994 22:05:21 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)


Has anyone got any hands on experience with any of the following
DSUs/CSUs:

1) ADC Kentrox T1 IDSU,
2) AT&T Paradyne 3161 or 3160 integrated DSU/CSU,
3) TxPort 3000 or 3001 integrated DSU/CSU?

I've done a desk-top market survey on about 16 DSUs/CSUs and theses
come out the best for the features and capabilities I need.  I'd be
interested in knowing if anyone has used these or a combination and
how well they work together.  I'm also interetsed on how well the SMNP
feature works and if these DSUs/CSUs are easy to configure and set up.


Thanks,

Dave Thaggard    [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (J Kirk Wright)
Subject: Looking For a Home System
Date: 19 Dec 1994 23:42:44 GMT
Organization: World Connection Services


I am interested in a home system that will page & intercom w/ hands
free reply.  I want a fairly attractive phone, not one that looks like
in belongs in an office.  So far I have found a Panasonic KXT2180 -- one
line, spearkerphone, max eight extensions, one touch intercom buttons --
for about $120 per phone.  Does anyone know anything about this phone?
Does anyone have any other options?


J Kirk Wright

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994  15:37:00 GMT
From: Paul A. Lee </DD.ID=JES2CAOF.UEDCM09/@SMX.sprint.com>
Organization: Woolworth Corporation
Subject: Re: T1 + Ethernet -> Fiber


In TELECOM Digest Volume 14 Issue 457, Joseph H Allen <[e-mail]>
wrote (in part):

> In article <[e-mail]>, John Rice <[e-mail]>
> wrote:

>> In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
>> (Joseph H Allen) writes:

>>> ... we are installing a cable between two sites.  Currently, this cable
>>> will contain a fiber pair for linking two lans together and 75-pairs of
>>> copper for the PBX.

>> ... don't limit yourself to 1 fiber pair and 75 copper pairs. A year
>> or three down the road, you'll be kicking yourself. Compared to the
>> installation costs, the cost of the cable is not significant. Put in
>> 6-12 fiber pairs and 300-600 copper pairs.

> Actually the 75 pair cable already has expansion space.  I think we
> only need around 45 or so.  We are planning on only 2 pairs of fiber,
> so I'll look into more.  The cable we're supposed to get has only one
> pair in it: we're planning on running two seperate cables for the 2
> pairs.  I'm not sure why we're not getting one cable with several
> pairs in it (that's what the phone contractor recommended): perhaps
> they cost more than two seperate cables?

It's possible the two smaller cables could cost less than one larger,
expecially in a hybrid (fiber + copper) construction. Smaller cable
sizes can also save on labor costs in a ducted installation by being
easier to handle.

> Also there are going to be 9 manholes along the trench, so installing
> more cables later may not be that big of a deal.

Sounds like a ducted installation, so adding cables later will be much
easier, but still costly. The duct is a wise investment. How much
cable capacity you provide in the initial installation requires a
careful analysis of growth rate versus installation cost and the cost
of financing excess capacity.

> We already rent 8 or so "local loops" for about $15 each per month.
> To upgrade to 45, rental would be $8000 a year.  I think it would be
> cheaper to rent T1s, but then we need expensive multiplexing equipment
> as well.

With the private cable you're installing, you of course won't have to
rent any telco facilities for connecting your two sites. And, with
the right PBX onfiguration, you won't need any mux equipment, either.
The mux/demux functions, and possibly even the fiber or T1 interfacing
(driver/receivers, DSU/CSU functions, etc.) should be part of the PBX.

> The phone system itself is supposed to cost around $50,000.

I'm still curious about the phone system model and configuration. You
might able to gain a lot of PBX functionality *and* better handle the
remote building link by investing more money in the PBX and less in
cable and/or mux equipment.

There are a few small PBXs that offer a fiberoptic, distributed
architecture that would be ideal for your application. The Mitel
SX-200 Light is one I've learned a little about. Tadiran's Coral ISBX
has a fiber distributed shelf arrangement -- I know the switch but not
so much about the fiber shelf. There may also be an economically
feasible version of the NT Meridian. AT&T's Definity probably doesn't
scale down to your size range with the fiber remote cabinet. There are
probably others.

>>> I plan on using these little $100 boxes which convert ethernet to
>>> fiber and use some extra PCs w/linux as bridges.

> Does anyone know about the boxes I'm mentioning here?  I want to know
> if they act like bridges: so that the ethernet length limit can be
> exceeded.  I would like to avoid buying expensive hubs if possible
> (having a PC act as hub is what I'm planning on now, but if these
> boxes do it anyway, all the better).

At that price, they may be simple repeaters. They should do the trick,
as long as you're not adding so many stations that you need to segment
the LAN.  I'm no LAN expert, though, so get some corroboration.

>>> I would like to know if there are boxes which take both ethernet and
>>> T1 (or whatever signal a pdx is likely to have) and multiplex them
>>> together onto the fiber so that the copper cable is not needed.

>> For PBX extensions, the economics of putting in mux/demux says copper
>> is cheaper, until you get into the line capacity that justifies a
>> remote switching equipment and trunking.

> Yeah, that's what I gather.  I think with all that copper we can get
> away with a single PBX- although I don't know how digital/multi-line
> phones are going to work.

Many multiline/feature phone sets will work a 3000+ foot cable run,
but some of them will need local supplemental power supplies. Look
carefully at the costs for those power supplies, plus the cost of the
multiple copper pairs versus one or two fiber pairs, plus the cost of
protectors for the copper.

>> At that point you'll be glad to have a copper pair to run a POTS
>> line over for your modem.

> Yeah, also it's good to have copper for any other simple signalling
> application that might come along.

When you're staying within a building, I'll agree that some extra
copper pairs are good to have. Once you get outside, though -- even
underground -- those copper pairs are as much an electrode into your
communuications room as they are useful.

> My biggest problem with copper is that I'm worried that it will only
> exasperate our already serious lightning problem even further.  We
> usually lose an expensive 30 HP pump motor and several thousand
> dollars worth of PBX pieces about once every two years.

That's a very prudent and reasonable concern. If you consider the
lightning problem to be a serious one, then you might want to rethink
the copper- versus-fiber equation. Add in some costs for damaged
equipment, downtime, lost business, and possibly even personal injury.
Also add the cost for *effective* lightning protection -- as opposed
to simple carbon or gas protectors -- which can come to around $5000
for both ends of 75 pairs.


Paul A. Lee                           Voice  414 357-1409
Telecommunications Analyst              FAX  [phone]
Woolworth Corporation            CompuServe  70353,566
INTERNET  </DD.ID=JES2CAOF.UEDCM09/@SMX.sprint.com>  <=PREFERRED ADDRESS*

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

From: [e-mail] (Neil Day)
Subject: Looking For ATM Information
Date: 20 Dec 1994 17:59:30 GMT
Organization: PSI Public Usenet Link


I'm interested in any information available about the performance of
ATM networks.  Specifically, typical point to point packet latencies
and network performance degradation under heavy loads.

I'm not a regular reader of this group, so responses via EMail to
[e-mail] would be appreciated.

Thanks for any info you can provide!


Neil

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

From: Jhupf <[e-mail]>
Subject: Christmas Greetings From AT&T
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 00:45:36 EST
Organization: News & Observer Public Access


My son got a Christmas card from Ray Drake.  Ray's return address is
295 Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920!  Hey isn't that the same
address as AT&T Corporate Hq???? It sure is - Guess Old Ma Bell is
renting rooms to make up for the loss of her monopoly!

I don't know who Ray is and neither does my son -- but he sent him a a
nice gift for Christmas, a check for $40!

Now my son is one of those adult children who happened to return to
our empty nest.  He takes full advantage of his return to the nest
including the use of MY telephone, he doesn't now have a phone he can
call his own, nor for that matter has he ever been a customer of any
phone company.  But still Ray Drake in his generosity has decided to
give him 40 bucks for Christmas -- hold on there are strings seems when
the kid cashed the check he changed _MY_ LD carrier from MCI to AT&T!
This annoyed me because I'm happy with MCI and don't want AT&T as my
LD carrier!

I call to get this put right and I find out that I'm stuck with AT&T
for SIX MONTHS because of this marketing game they are playing and
even though I did not change my carrier or even want it changed AT&T
can come along and have someone else change it for me AND I'M STUCK!

They told me it's legal, but I don't see how it can be, any opinions
about this marketing strategy?  I intend to stop in at MCI tomorrow
and see if anyone there has an opinion about it!


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Try reading the fine print on the back
side of the check Ray Drake sent your son. I think it says you agree
to have AT&T as your carrier. Sorry, you lose, and happy holidays to
you and your family and especially that son of yours.    PAT]

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

From: Judith Oppenheimer <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 12:56:17 -0500
Subject: Seasons Greetings!


To all who participate on these lists, who share support, advice,
encouragement and friendship.

What better place to say:

Seasons Greetings, and Warmest Wishes for a Happy, Healthy and
Prosperous New Year.


Judith Oppenheimer   [e-mail]
Interactive CallBrand(TM)
The Brand:          Awareness -> Image
The CallBrand(TM):  Awareness -> Interaction -> Revenue


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: And the same to you!  I am receiving
many, many Christmas cards from Digest readers both in email and in
the postal service. To all of you, my best wishes for a happy new year.
I hope my new year will be a little better also. <sniff> .... PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #462
******************************


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Date: Tue, 20 Dec 94 18:17:08 CST
From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #463

TELECOM Digest     Tue, 20 Dec 94 18:17:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 463

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Your Help is Needed to Keep the Digest Going (TELECOM Digest Editor)
    Re: Digital Cellular and Fraud Prevention (Phil Brown)
    Re: Digital Cellular and Fraud Prevention (Jason Hillyard)
    Re: 500 Number Assignments, Listed by Company ([e-mail])
    Re: 500 Number Assignments, Listed by Company (Linc Madison)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Kimmo Ketolainen)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Linc Madisnon)
    Re: NYNEX Voicemail Failure (Paul Beker)
    Re: I Want Caller-ID. What's Wrong With it? ([e-mail])
    Re: DSS Satellite System Information ([e-mail])
    Re: Flat Rate Cellular Phone Service (Shawn Gordhamer)
    Re: Information Wanted on Intelsat (Yves Blondeel)
    Re: Routing to the Closest Point (Andrew C. Green)
    Re: Maryland Does Not Yet go 'Round in Circles (Evelyn Albrecht)
    Re: Christmas Greetings From AT&T (Andrew C. Green)
    Re: Cable Industry WWW Sites? (Yves Blondeel)
    Re: Help Converting V&H Coordinates to Longitude and Latitude (C. Dold)
    Re: Needed: BRI Test Equipment Leads (Muni Perzov)
    Head Hunters in Telecommunications Field ([e-mail])

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
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Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual
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The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
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should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: TELECOM Digest Editor <[e-mail]>
Subject: Your Help is Needed to Keep Digest Going
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 17:30:00 CST


Over the years some of you have been extraordinarily generous with
your financial assistance to the Digest, and the first thing I want
to say here is a sincere thank you to all readers who have supported
this effort in the past. With your continued assistance, along with
the grant I receive monthly from the International Telecommunication
Union, the Digest will continue for another year.

Beginning at this time, the introductory files sent out to each new
subscriber on the mailing list will include a request for a suggested
donation annually of twenty dollars per reader to assist with the
costs involved in this publication. Please note this is only a suggestion,
and nothing prevents you from sending more or less. Please note also it
is a donation; you are under no obligation to send anything at all.
I hope you will realize however that many of the moderators on the
Internet are feeling a bit of a pinch due to the increased amount of
traffic we are seeing these days, and that the handwriting is on the
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less well-maintained newsgroups eventually losing credibility (and
eventually distribubility) on the ever-growing, increasingly commercialized
Internet of the future.

But the e-zines will only continue while their editor/publisher/list
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don't ever expect to retire and draw a large pension from the TELECOM
Digest -- registered by the way in the State of Illinois as a not-for-
profit educational activity, by the way -- but it would be nice to go
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TELECOM Digest
9457-D Niles Center Road
Skokie, IL  60076

Thank you again, and I hope all readers have a very happy holiday season
and a prosperous new year.


Patrick Townson

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Digital Cellular and Fraud Prevention
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 23:22:38 GMT


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

> Jason Hillyard ([e-mail]) writes:

>> Now suppose someone managed to get hold of a very fresh MIN, ESN, SSD,
>> and COUNT, and were capable of programming all of this into a phone.
>> They may be able to clone a phone for a short time, depending on
>> whether the original phone is used and whether the service provider is
>> keeping track of COUNT.

> How does this work for roamer service?  Does the current COUNT value
> for every subscriber have to be known by every service provider in the
> country all the time?  If I place two calls from Newark Airport, New
> Jersey, then turn my pocket cellular set off, board an airliner, and
> two hours later step off the plane in Chicago and place two more
> calls, and then ...  how does the Chicago system know the correct
> value for my COUNT and how does it communciate its own updates to that
> value back to the home system?

Yes, if the roaming service provider is using COUNT then it must
obtain the current value from the subscriber's Home Location Register
via an IS-41 message (IS-41 is the EIA/TIA standard that describes how
cellular switches interconnect).  I am not familiar with any active
implementations of IS-54 (TDMA) or IS-95 (CDMA) that are using both
authentication and IS-41-B-based intersystem roaming (frankly, I'm not
sure there are any today, but as soon as I go out on the limb and make
that statement ...), so I can't speak to how it all works in the field.

And yes, this type of signalling requires high speed (SS7) connections
between systems.  That has been one of the impediments to widespread
deployment of IS-41 -- the cost and effort involved in setting up the
hardware and making it all work together.  So if you really want to
speed up the process, make it worth your cellular carrier's while to
upgrade its network; keep the fraud and hacking up! ;)


Phil Brown     New Technology Engineer
GTE Mobilnet   [e-mail]
[phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jason Hillyard)
Subject: Re: Digital Cellular and Fraud Prevention
Date: 20 Dec 1994 21:48:54 GMT
Organization: University of California, Santa Barbara


In <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Dave Levenson)
writes:

> How does this work for roamer service?  Does the current COUNT value
> for every subscriber have to be known by every service provider in the
> country all the time?  If I place two calls from Newark Airport, New
> Jersey, then turn my pocket cellular set off, board an airliner, and
> two hours later step off the plane in Chicago and place two more
> calls, and then ...  how does the Chicago system know the correct
> value for my COUNT and how does it communciate its own updates to that
> value back to the home system?

This is an important issue.  It really depends on how the cellular
companies implement their authentication networks.  I'm not aware of
what their plans are.  Maybe someone in the cellular industry can
enlighten us.

However, the COUNT quantity shouldn't be a problem.  The COUNT in the
mobile isn't updated until the base sends it a message telling it to
do so.  Then the mobile sends a message back confirming that it has
updated COUNT.

In your scenario, lets assume you're roaming in Chicago.  If the
Chicago system can't retrieve and update the COUNT from your home
system, it will not tell the mobile to update its COUNT.


Jason

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

From: [e-mail] (Kronos)
Subject: Re: 500 Number Assignments, Listed by Company
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 20:52:47 GMT


> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: ... who is Edward A. Smith (500-464)?

Beats me!  It's the only NPA/NXX assignment in the country assigned
to that entity.

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

From: [e-mail] (Linc Madison)
Subject: Re: 500 Number Assignments, Listed by Company
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 21:36:53 GMT


Kronos ([e-mail]) wrote:

> FYI, here are the NPA 500 assignments:

> HORRY TEL COOP INC   535

Hmm.  If this company had been part of pre-divestiture AT&T, would we
have to call it Horry-Bell?


Linc Madison   *   Oakland, California   *   [e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Hey, there are some here who would answer
that by saying if there had never been divestiture, what makes you think
there would have been the advancements and innovations in telephony to
even make such a thing as 500 possible/necessary?    PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Kimmo Ketolainen)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Organization: Turun yliopisto - University of Turku, Finland
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 20:50:38 GMT


[e-mail] (John Perkins) wrote:

> The number '999' is a simple and easy to remember number that, as you
> say, has been used in Great Britain for about 50 years.  I haven't
> heard of any other country that has had a nationwide emergency number
> that long, a number that is familiar to the entire population over the
> age of 18 months. How can any other number possibly be superior?
> It really is a shame that the rest of the world was unable to bring
> itself to adopt this number as a universal standard.

'999' is the prefix for all international calls made on the Finnet Ltd
network from Finland. Better forget that emergency number soon, I
remember the proportion of British people travelling in Finland is
quite notable.


Kimmo Ketolainen University of Turku            home [phone]
Yo-kyl=E4 84 A 10  [e-mail]      shoe [phone]
FIN-20540 Turku  http://www.utu.fi/finland.html work [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Linc Madison)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 21:31:32 GMT


Bob Goudreau ([e-mail]) wrote:

> [e-mail] (Erling Kristiansen) wrote:

>> As a side remark, I wonder how they came up with 112, which has a very
>> high rate of conflict with existing numbers. Most EU countries have
>> "0" as first digit to escape from local call to long distance or
>> special service.

> Yes, but many EU countries have long used numbers beginning with "1"
> for other special services, have they not?  What other European
> countries besides the Netherlands have (or had) local exchanges that
> start with "11" (or even just "1")?  Not many, I believe.

It isn't in the EU, but Hungary has a great many local numbers
beginning with '1', and in fact the largest block begin with '11' in
Budapest.  I am told that this resulted from expanding the number
space twice, each time by prepending a '1' on existing numbers.


Linc Madison   *   Oakland, California   *   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Paul Beker)
Subject: Re: NYNEX Voicemail Failure
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 20:01:12 GMT


[e-mail] (K. M. Peterson) writes:

> As I write this, NYNEX seems to be recovering from what I was told was
> a LATA-wide failure of their voice mail system ("NYNEX Call Answering").

> Naturally, I'm rather concerned, as I'm in the interview process for new
> work for early next year.

> Anyone know if this happens more than very infrequently?  One of the
> reasons that I was interested in this service was that it was billed as
> highly reliable.

I was also attracted to BellSouth's "MemoryCall service" due to perceived
reliability -- all the equipment is CO-based, commercial grade voice
mail, right ...?

Well, after a few weeks of using the service I was very disappointed
with the quality of service.  I reported all of these problems to
"repair", but they were never able to track down any of them, and as I
was also job-seeking at the time (heh, still am..), I didn't particularly
feel like being a guinea pig while they track down the problems.

The two most serious problems:

- On about 2-5% of calls that were transferred to voice mail, the call
was sent to the wrong person's mailbox!  (i.e. someone calls me, phone
is busy or rings three times, gets forwarded to voice mail, caller
hears someone else's greeting!  Interestingly, this was always the
greeting of someone else served by my CO.  Also, several times when
dialing the "access" number to pick up messages, change prompts, etc.,
instead of hearing the "Password?"  prompt, I got someone else's
mailbox prompt - "Leave a message ..."  This sounds like two slightly
different manifestations of the same problem.)

- During peak times, such as late afternoon on a Friday, calls to my
voicemail would simply ring forever.  (i.e. three rings on my line,
the transfer would send the call to voice mail just fine, voice mail
would never answer.)  This happened very often.

I have some pretty good theories on both of these problems, but
probably shouldn't go into details.

Anyway, now I have regular POTS service with a really nice over-
feature-laden Panasonic answering system attached and am quite happy
with it.  The only thing I miss about not having the MemoryCall is
that I am now forced to answer call waiting again ...


Paul Beker - Atlanta, GA    [e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: You are not forced to answer call-waiting.
No one is forced to answer call-waiting. Just call telco and have them
remove the feature from your line.  Radical idea, huh?    PAT]

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

Subject: Re: I Want Caller-ID. What's Wrong With it?
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 94 17:11:09 EST
From: [e-mail]
Reply-To: [e-mail]


[text about most people getting per-line blocking upon CID introduction
deleted]

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: My experience has been the opposite.
> Most people do *not* block their number when calling, and in fact
> most people are only vaguely aware of Caller ID unless they are
> telecom-savvy. Rarely do I receive a call from a blocked number.  PAT]

In my one year CID history, I only received one blocked call, and that
was from a police detective.  After the first year, when Southern Bell
introducted CID-Deluxe, I eliminated the possibility of ever getting a
blocked call, by subscribing to the "block-the-blocker" custom-calling
feature.  This meant that anyone who called me with their line or call
blocked would get a recording from my C.O. and the call would terminate
there.

On a side note, the "block-the-blocker" message in Southern Bell is
the most ridiculous and confusing message I have ever heard.  I think
it was this:

     Your call has been properly delivered, but the person you
     are calling does not accept calls from parties who do not
     allow delivery of their telephone number.  Please hang up,
     allow delivery of your telephone number, and try your call
     again.

Give me a break!


Ron

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

From: [e-mail] (Kronos)
Subject: Re: DSS Satellite System Information
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 21:02:43 GMT


[e-mail] (Bernard A Doehner) writes:

> I have been trying to dig up some technical specs on this system but
> have found nothing. Could someone please show me where I could find a
> technical description of this system?

Check out the newsgroup rec.video.satellite.dbs as there are many
ongoing discussions about all aspects of the service.

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

From: [e-mail] (Shawn Gordhamer)
Subject: Re: Flat Rate Cellular Phone Service
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 20:29:11 GMT


> Does anyone know why somebody hasn't started a flat rate cellular
> phone service?  I seems to me that this kind of business would do
> really well, since the users wouldn't have to pay air time.

Well, cellular companies charge about $20 per hour on air time.  For
unlimited service, they would probably charge BIG BUCKS.  There are
already cellular plans for $200+ that are < 15 hours.

Some places have all-you-can-eat weekends, and some include off-peak
hours in this deal.  For me, $49 buys me 60 "free" minutes, unlimited
weekend use, and $.36 per minute after the free ones.

I think I'll program my computer to dial the weather number for 48 hours
during the weekend, just to get my money worth -- and to tick off US West
Cellular :).


Shawn Gordhamer   [e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Do that, and you will mess it up for everyone
else when the cellular company does away with it. One of the reasons Illinois
Bell got rid of their unlimited calling plans for residences was because
of the growing number of modem (for example) users who frankly, just really
worked it to the hilt. Some guys were going through twenty *thousand*
message units per month, calling from one side the the metro area to the
other leaving thier computers online with a BBS for hours at a time, etc.
It was not just the fault of the modem users that IBT adopted a measured
system; but modem users sure contributed to the death of 'call pack
unlimited' back in the late 1980's.  Even though they did not bill for
message units under the unlimited plan, they still *counted* them for
statistical and analytical purposes, and in the case of a few IBT execs
their hair stood on end when they saw the figures.    PAT]

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

From: Yves Blondeel <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Information Wanted on Intelsat
Date: 20 Dec 1994 19:46:34 GMT
Organization: FUNDP, Namur, Belgium


[e-mail] (SPIEGELEER DIRK) wrote:

> Can somebody give me some information about the current projects
> organized by Intelsat in the Third World, and the results these
> projects realize.

I advise you to contact the Intelsat news office.
They should be able to help you.

Intelsat
Susan Gordon or Sigrid Badinelli
3400 International Drive NW
Washington DC 20008-3098  USA
Tel. [phone]
Fax. [phone]


Yves Blondeel     [e-mail]

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 15:20:44 CST
From: Andrew C. Green <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Routing to the Closest Point


[e-mail] (Travis Russell) writes:

> Pizza Hut is getting more than just call routing. I am told through
> third party sources that they are also getting name, address, and
> calling number info as well. I am not sure whether or not Pizza Hut is
> getting the information from their own database or from the telco, but
> I understand that they also get a profile of the customer, listing
> their previous purchases and payment methods.

> I am not sure who is maintaining this database.  Any one out there
> know how this is being accomplished?

Speaking as an honored customer of Domino's Pizza, I can tell you that
_their_ database is local to that store, at least as implemented in
our area. I expect Pizza Hut's setup to be similar. Clever ZIP
Code-oriented gymnastics may be used by Pizza Hut (and Domino's,
elsewhere) to route calls to the closest store, but at that point
Caller ID is used to look up the customer by telephone number in their
PC database, which shows past orders and special instructions (e.g.
"Well Done, Extra Sauce")

This makes for remarkably short telephone time; customer name,
address, special directions, etc. are already listed and don't need to
be entered for repeat calls. This is certainly an advantage for them
when there is only one employee present who's expected to prepare
pizzas and answer phones at the same time. The only difficulties I
encounter are when I call an order in from my car phone, a different
number, and have to remind them to call up our record under the
listing of our home phone.


Andrew C. Green           [phone]
Datalogics, Inc.          Internet: [e-mail]
441 W. Huron
Chicago, IL  60610-3498   FAX: [phone]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I'll tell you who else is keeping a
database of telephone numbers, addresses, and special instructions here
in the Chicago north suburban area: American Taxi Association. Its a
consortium of independent owner/operator taxicabs who share a common
radio dispatcher and phone room. When you call them, they are always
so backlogged with orders you get their 'please hold for an agent'
message, and part of the recording says 'be prepared to tell us the
telephone number of your pickup location', although they already get
it via Caller-ID most of the time. They then rate you as a preferred
customer; regular customer making a long/short ride; a cranky customer;
a customer who stiffed the driver last time; a new customer they have
not serviced before, etc.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Evelyn Albrecht)
Subject: Re: Maryland Does Not Yet go 'Round in Circles
Organization: Western Washington University
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 22:02:37 GMT


Paul Robinson <[e-mail]> writes:

> Note that we have mandatory 1+ dialing for all calls which are not
> local; even in the same area code, I have to dial 11 digits if the
> number isn't local to me, so we are ready for the increase in area
> codes.  However ...

> From a 301-585 number in Silver Spring, MD, dialing:

> 1-360-555-1212   0-360-555-1212  10288-0-360-555-1212   or
> 10288-1-360-555-1212

But area code 360 isn't supposed to active until Jan. 15, 1995, altho
I read a message yesterday that said it works in some cases already.
Is that maybe why the strange result?


Evelyn Albrecht               Ph:  [phone]
Academic Computing Services   Internet: [e-mail]
Western Washington Univ.      Bellingham, WA  98225-9094

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 16:09:05 CST
From: Andrew C. Green <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Christmas Greetings From AT&T


Jhupf <[e-mail]> writes:

> Now my son is one of those adult children who happened to return to
> our empty nest.  He takes full advantage of his return to the nest
> including the use of MY telephone, he doesn't now have a phone he can
> call his own, nor for that matter has he ever been a customer of any
> phone company.

and TELECOM Digest Editor notes:

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Try reading the fine print on the back
> side of the check Ray Drake sent your son. I think it says you agree
> to have AT&T as your carrier. Sorry, you lose,

Uh, time out here. Jhupf is telling us that the kid does not have a
phone (i.e. an account) in his name. Nevertheless, it looks as if AT&T
matched the kid's mailing address to Jhupf's phone number, and honored
his "request" to change the number, even though he wasn't the billed
party for that number. That doesn't sound right.


Andrew C. Green           [phone]
Datalogics, Inc.          Internet: [e-mail]
441 W. Huron
Chicago, IL  60610-3498   FAX: [phone]

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

From: Yves Blondeel <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Cable Industry WWW Sites?
Date: 20 Dec 1994 20:30:02 GMT
Organization: FUNDP, Namur, Belgium


[e-mail] (MSHIMAZU) wrote:

> Could you post that site in this group, please?

http://www.cablelabs.com


Yves Blondeel    [e-mail]

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

From: Clarence Dold <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Help Converting V&H Coordinates to Longitude and Latitude
Date: 20 Dec 1994 21:02:17 GMT
Organization: a2i network


BelCore sells the V&H to Long/Lat routines, as executables for the
IBM-PC, as well as source (but it doesn't say what language), for
$250.

The V&H tables themselves, along with other valuable info, is on a
CDROM, for $700.

I'm not sure if you have to be a carrier to buy this stuff.
    Bellcore Traffic Routing Administration
    [phone]


Clarence A Dold - [e-mail]
                - Pope Valley & Napa CA.

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

From: [e-mail] (Muni Perzov)
Subject: Re: Needed: BRI Test Equipment Leads
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 21:08:55 GMT


TTC in Germantown, MD makes the FIREBERD 6000 analyzer. It has a
plug-in BRI interface for the S/T reference point that generates
2^15-1 (and a lot of other) PRBS patterns.

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

From: [e-mail] (SomeBody)
Subject: Head Hunters in Telecommunications field
Date: 20 Dec 1994 12:05:24 -0800


Does anybody know of head hunters in the field of Telecommunications
Please e-mail me their phone or address.

My e-mail address is [e-mail].

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #463
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
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To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #464

TELECOM Digest     Tue, 20 Dec 94 18:57:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 464

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    CFP: ISLIP'95 (Mehmet Orgun)
    British Telecom Information Superhighway Setback (L S Ng)
    Re: Information Wanted on Mercury Communication Ltd. in UK (Simon Aglionby)
    Re: New NPA For Bahamas (David Leibold)
    Re: Request For MTA, BTA Map (Bruce McGuffin)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Mark Brader)
    Industry Standard Ratios? (Neil A. Giles)
    Re: Caller-Charging 800 Numbers Should be *Banned* (John C. Fowler)
    Re: Caller-Charging 800 Numbers Should be *Banned* (M. Robinson)
    Re: Old Card Dialer Cards (Mike Morris)
    Re: Information Wanted About Arrowsmith Technologies (Wayne Stargard)
    Re: DSS Satellite System Information (Brad Hicks)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers.
A suggested donation is requested of twenty dollars per reader each year.
Write and tell us how you qualify:

                 * [e-mail] *

The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
or phone at:
                    9457-D Niles Center Road
                     Skokie, IL USA   60076
                       Phone: [phone]
                        Fax: [phone]
  ** Article submission address only: [e-mail] **

Our archives are located at lcs.mit.edu and are available by using
anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email
information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to
use the information service, just ask.

*************************************************************************
*   TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the              *
* International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland    *
* under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES)   *
* project.  Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-*
* ing views of the ITU.                                                 *
*************************************************************************

Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such
as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help
is important and appreciated.

All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 21 Dec 94 10:55:16 +1100
From: [e-mail] (Mehmet Orgun)
Subject: CFP: ISLIP'95


                      Preliminary Call for Papers
                              ISLIP'95
The Eigth International Symposium on Languages for Intensional Programming
       May 3-5, 1995 Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia


Objectives

There is a growing interest in computational models and/or programming
languages and systems based on intensional logics such as temporal
logic, interval logic, modal and intuitionistic logics. In fact, a
whole new programming model called intensional programming has been
created with applications in a wide range of areas including parallel
programming, dataflow computation, temporal reasoning, scientific
computation, real-time programming, temporal databases, spreadsheets,
attribute grammars, and hardware synthesis.

This symposium aims at bringing together researchers working in all
aspects of this area, and to promote intensive discussions and foster
collaboration among researchers.  We encourage papers dealing with the
theoretical foundations, design, implementation and prototype
development issues, comparative studies, and applications, as well as
those describing new challenges arising out of applications.

The symposium will include, but will not be limited to, the following
topics of interest (as they relate to intensional programming):

   Programming paradigms                Semantics

   * dataflow computation               * non-determinism
   * connectionist models               * extended Kahn principle
   * logic programming                  * intensional concepts
   * real-time programming              * termination issues
   * languages such as Lucid and GLU


   Software Engineering                 Applications

   * version control                    * signal processing
   * visual user interfaces             * image processing
   * parallel programming               * hardware synthesis
   * fault-tolerant systems             * graphics
   * program verification               * data models


Submissions

You are invited to submit either a full paper or an extended abstract
of approximately 5000 words (10-15 double spaced pages).  The cover
page should include the name, phone/fax numbers and e-mail addres of
the contact author(s), a short abstract, topic(s) and a list of
keywords.  Papers will be reviewed by the program committee for their
originality, correctness, significance, and relevance to the
symposium.

We prefer PostScript or self-contained LaTeX submissions via electronic
mail to either one of the e-mail addresses below.  You can also send
three hardcopies of your submission to one of the following addresses
(chosen with respect to geographical proximity). Submissions should
arrive no later than February 15, 1995.

  Edward A. Ashcroft / ISLIP'95         E-mail: [e-mail]
  Department of Computer Science & Eng  Phone : [phone]
  Arizona State University              Fax   : [phone]
  Tempe, Arizona 85283, U.S.A.

  Mehmet A. Orgun / ISLIP'95            E-mail: [e-mail]
  Department of Computing               Phone : +61 2 850 - 9570
  Macquarie University                  Fax   : +61 2 850 - 9551
  Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia

Authors will receive notification of acceptance by March 20, 1995.
Revised versions of the papers to appear in the pre-proceedings to be
distributed at the Symposium are due on April 12, 1995 (preferred in
PostScript or LaTeX form, sent by email).  The symposium will be held
on May 3--5, 1995 at Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.

At the Symposium, the research will be presented and also evaluated,
and it is planned that final polished papers will appear in a book.

The details about registration and accommodation will be provided later.


Symposium Chair

  Edward A. Ashcroft    Arizona State University

Program Committee

  Seiki Akama           Teikyo University of Technology
  Edward A. Ashcroft    Arizona State University
  Weichang Du           University of New Brunswick
  Tony A. Faustini      Arizona State University
  Jan Hext              Macquarie University
  Tom Hintz             University of Technology,Sydney
  R. Jagannathan        SRI International
  Michael Johnson       Macquarie University
  Steve Matthews        University of Warwick
  Mehmet A. Orgun       Macquarie University
  John Potter           Microsoft Institute
  John Plaice           University of Laval
  William W. Wadge      University of Victoria
  Andrew L. Wendelborn  University of Adelaide
  Kang Zhang            Macquarie University

Local Arrangements

  Mehmet A. Orgun       Macquarie University
  Kang Zhang            Macquarie University

Important Dates

 Submission Deadline:   February 15, 1995
 Notification:          March 20, 1995
 Revised Versions due:  April 12, 1995
 Symposium:             May 3-5, 1994

Further Information

Contact:
     [e-mail]
     [e-mail]

Latest information about the Symposium will be made available via the
WWW page: http://krakatoa.mpce.mq.edu.au/ mehmet/islip95.html.

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

From: [e-mail] (L S Ng)
Subject: British Telecom Information Superhighway Setback
Date: 20 Dec 1994 13:04:53 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway


Comments on the UK Government recent decision leading to British Telecom
abandonment of its information superhighway.

by Liang Shing NG
Southampton

Background

British Telecom could be one of the most advanced telephone company on
Earth, which simultaneously own the old telephone lines running across
United Kingdom and the technology to push the channel capacity of the
old telephone lines to the physical and technical limits of 6 Mega
Bits Per Second.  This represent a 200 fold faster than the conventional
modem speed over the old telephone lines.

With such a technology and ownership of lines across the whole of U.K.,
the potential of profits for BT is enormous, unprecedented and beyond
calculations.

Last month, I posted an article describing this technology, known as
HDSL/ADSL, to Usenet comp.dcom.isdn. The following is a news article
from the Times (UK) on 23 Nov 1994, which describes an unexpected setback
for BT.

HDSL/ADSL is the technology.  It has been repackaged in many forms:
Primary Rate ISDN (up to 2 Mbps), Digital Leased Lines and Video/TV
services.  The incident described below affected Video/TV services (eqv
Cable TV on the old telephone lines) in particular.

The term 'information superhighway' is overused by the media nowadays.
Within the context of this article, it refers to the old telephone
lines (copper pair network), coupled with BT HDSL/ADSL to push the
capacity up to 6 Mbps, to create the most readily practical broadband
network.

 From The Times, U.K. 23 Nov 1994

BT drops GBP 15 bn superhighway as TV ban stays

by Ross Tieman, Industrial Correspondent for the Times

(note: GBP=Great Britain Pound Sterling, bn=billion, BT = British Telecom)

(Summary: A restrictions established in 1991 on TV broadcasting over
cables retarded BT plans to deliver video/TV services over the old
telephone lines.)

(Comments in bracket are added by me, L S Ng.)

BT has abandoned plans for a GBP 15 billion information superhighway
linking every home in the land after the Government refused to lift a
ban on the broadcast of television by telephone.

Investment in fibre-optic cable to improve the quality of services
will be restricted to businesses and public services, where larger
volumes of traffic justify the cost, a spokesman (of BT) said. He
added: "We cannot commit to cabling the whole country -- which is what
we had wanted".

(But the Times did not tell the story behind.  What BT went on to do
was to develop the HDSL/ADSL techniques which eventually enabled such
services to be delivered on the old telephone lines (copper pairs).
Now optical fibres shall contend in the range over 100 Mbps.  For
applications below 100 Mbps, HDSL/ADSL is ideal - nomial 2 to 6 Mbps.
And now the Government bans BT from applying its HDSL/ADSL to TV
broadcast services.)

In choosing to maintain the ban until 2001 (established in 1991), the
Government has rejected conclusions of an inquiry by the Commons trade
and industry committee, which said that a single network, open to all
service providers, would be needed. Without it, there would be
insufficient demand to justify rapid development of computer-based
information and entertainment services, the committee said.

(The English newspaper likes to use long sentence.  In short, the
Government rejected a nation-wide, all-services integrated network.
>From which I infer that, Internet access over 2 Mbps will be not be
available to the general public until 2001, although the technology
(which is cheap) is here.  Unless BT thinks of some repackaging of
Internet to get around the Government (indeed the group of industrial-
ists advising the Government), it is likely to face a similar setback
when it lauches its Internet services later this year or next year.
Internet subscribers in UK, hold on! Don't rush on to subscirbe to the
small Internet providers (e.g.  Compuserve etc.) as yet.  Wait for the
Big Brother.  You might get up to 2 Mbps!)

Instead, the Government said that it will stick by its strategy,
established in 1991, of allowing only cable television companies to
broadcast television and other entertainment by cable into homes.
That decision underpins GBP 1.2 billion of investment by cable
companies in building duplicate local networks that compete with BT in
telephone services.

(So what? BT can set up just another cable television company. If not,
BT has all the capital to buy out an existing cable television company.
Or BT can lease its telephone lines to other cable television company
to run the show.)

(Feel sad for the small cable television company who laid cables
(copper coax or optical fibre, better than copper pair) just to
deliver such service.  They thought it wasn't possible for BT to do it
over the old telephone lines.  Now it is too late.  It IS possible to
deliver TV services over the old telephone lines, using HDSL/ADSL,
coupled with latest compression technology e.g.  MPEG.)

Giving the government response to the MPs, together with ideas to
encourage development of "broadband" communications, Ian Taylor, the
technology minister, said: "The promises made in the 1991 White Paper
will be adhered to."

(What he means is "Broadband communications (i.e.  over 2 Mbps) is
banned and will be banned until 2001." "together with ideas to
encourage"??? Did you say "encourage"?)

However, he opened the door to BT to apply to offer broadcast
entertainment, using existing wires, in areas where cable licences
have been offered but not taken up. Those area cover about a million
people, and include most of Northern Ireland.

(U.K.  has more than 50 million people.  So you are telling me I
cannot offer services to the other 49 million people? And why didn't
the 1 million take up the cable TV offer in the first place? Of course
they are not well off, living outside urban area.  So do you think
they will take up my offer? Not if I lower the price of the service.
And with only one million potential subscriber and lower income and
more complex hardware (HDSL/ADSL/MPEG), how on Earth can I earn? This
consolation is not a consolation at all.  It is hypocracy.)

BT could still offer video-on-demand and other interactive services by
telephone, Mr Taylor said.

(So this could be Internet. But what does it mean by the first
sentence of this article: "BT has abandoned plans for information
superhighway."  The crux of the matter is, if BT earns a lot from TV
services, then hopefully the price of Internet access will be driven
down. If not, then Internet access would be more pricey than it should
be.)

Richard Caborn, the Labour chairman of the committee, said that he was
"deeply disappointed" by the Government's response. The White Paper had
been overtaken by technical innovation, he said.

Introducing the government policy statement, Creating the Superhighways
of the Future: Developing Broadband Communications in the UK, Mr Taylor
announced a new group of industrialists to advise it on development of
multi-media services.

(Ha, this is it.  It is this new group of industrialists who advise the
Government resulting in this abandonment of one of the best
implementation of our information superhighway.  So who are they? Please
let us know if you come across that document.  I think the fear is that
BT might become too powerful to compete with.  So they don't want an
integrated broadband network operated by BT alone.  They want some share
on it.  Although we know that usually competitions work for the
consumer, in this case, we are not entirely sure. Any suggestions?)

(BT is also one of the major sponsor for research in information
technology. So I think this setback will definitely affect the IT research
community. :-( )

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

From: [e-mail] (Simon Aglionby)
Subject: Re: Information Wanted on Mercury Communication Ltd. in U.K.
Date: 20 Dec 1994 15:06:06 GMT
Organization: Abekas Video Systems Ltd, Reading, UK.


In <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Marc White)
writes:

> Could anyone please give me any information about this company?  I'd
> like to know the impact they are having on BT.  I also heard they've
> purchased a new billing system which is supposed to give them the most
> competitive edge in the U.K.

I've used Mercury as the long distance carrier on my home line for
around three years now, which is a little less than the time they've been
competing with BT for the domestic market (they went into the business
arena earlier, but I don't remember when).

When I first started using Mercury they were around 10% cheaper than
BT for daytime intra UK calls, and up to 40% cheaper for evenings &
weekends -- ie the times when I would be making calls.

BT have responded _agressively_, targetting the areas where Mercury
were winning.  Particular points that I remember :-

o Introduction of discount schemes.  Currently I believe there are two
  of these.  Pay either M-#16 or M-#24 per annum and get 10% or 15%
  off all calls.  Higher scheme also buys you ``TalkingPoints'' for
  collection of further benefits.  Mercury have responded, but I don't
  think their scheme matches.

o Introduction of weekend rate at about half the previous cheap rate.
  This would be the one step that might make me revert to BT.  Mercury
  kept to their guarantee of being 10% under BT, but when you add the
  discount schemes, BT possibly may still have an edge.

o Introduction of nominated number discounts.  Both BT & Mercury now
  offer 5% discount on calls to up to 5 nominated numbers.  One off M-#5
  set up fee on BT, free on Mercury.

o Abolition of peak rate.  Calls 9am to 1pm Mon-Fri used to be more
  expensive than afternoon weekday calls.  Not any more, both BT and
  Mercury now charge the afternoon rate all day.

o Abolition of low cost routes.  Calls on high traffic routes (eg
  London to Edinburgh, 400 miles) used to be cheaper than low traffic
  (eg London to Carlisle, 300 miles).  Not any more, BT now only levy
  the lower ``high traffic'' rate.  I'm sure Mercury have probably
  responded, but I don't remember seeing anything about it in print.

BT have also worked hard on the business market to win back customers
who defected to Mercury, with incentives and bonuses, but not being a
business I don't have much detail.  I do know that while my employers
use Mercury for their outgoing calls (we have a microwave radio link
to a nearby office block which has a couple of dozen similar links to
other companies, and a big dish which I presume goes to the outside
world), we chose to use a BT line for our 64k bps link to the
Internet.  BT apparently have a much better record on fixing faults
quickly, and also have a more robust network, which doesn't die as
quickly when stressed.

Part of the competitive edge that BT had, but are now being challenged
on in the courts is their hold on telephone numbers.  BT refused to
let Mercury have the number that my emplyers used for their incoming
lines, so rather than change numbers, we've kept the BT lines for
incoming calls.  This may change soon.

For the residential customer, a direct radio link isn't economic, and
indirect access methods are used (prefixing the dialed number with
either 131<10 digit PIN><optional 2 digit cost centre> or 132).  I
assume BT charge Mercury as much as they possibly can for the
interconnects.

As a result of BT's measures, Mercury announced recently that they
would be cutting staff, as their profits had reduced to ``only''
M-#100m (not sure whether this was for 3, 6 or 12 months).  BT have
been shedding staff in _huge_ numbers now for several years, but don't
forget its only been since they were privatised 10 years ago that
we've had any significant investment in digital exchanges, which don't
require a permanent army of engineers to go round cleaning contacts.

Latest I remember for BT profits was something in the range of M-#3
or 4,000m per annum.  This has been hit a little by competition, but
I'm still happy to have a shareholding in them.

As far as billing is concerned, Mercury did have an edge, because they
offered fully itemised bills before BT offered any itemisation at all.
Initially BT responded by offering itemisation of calls over a M-0.50
threshold, but they now offer the full listing if you ask for it, and
are on a suitably equipped exchange.  [As a follow up to an Australian
post I noted today, it will be no consolation to learn that
itemisation in the UK is free.]

Final anecdotal note.  My BT phone bill before I started using Mercury
was around M-#100 per quarter.  Initially with Mercury both BT and
Mercury bills were around M-#50 per quarter - but I know that we made
longer calls, because we knew they were cheaper.  I guess you could
call this this an improvement in our quality of ``phone life''.  Now,
three years on the BT bill is still about M-#50, but Mercury has
shrunk to M-#25.  I think BT are hurting Mercury.

Any more info I can give?


Simon Aglionby

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

From: [e-mail] (David Leibold)
Subject: Re: New NPA For Bahamas
Organization: Toronto FreeNet
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 00:03:16 GMT


David Esan ([e-mail]) wrote:

> According to a tariff source the Bahamas have requested and received a
> new NPA, 441.  If I could find the article I could give you the effective
> date. Sorry.

I recall seeing something in uk.telecom to the effect that Puerto Rico
would get its own NPA, something like 340. Can anyone confirm or deny
how much the 809 area is splitting up?


David Leibold     [e-mail]
Toronto Free-Net IRC volunteer

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

From: [e-mail] (Bruce McGuffin)
Subject: Re: Request For MTA, BTA Map
Organization: MIT Lincoln Laboratory
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 94 09:50:37 -0500


> Can anyone give me a pointer to the map showing the MTAs and BTAs
> whose frequencies are being auctioned off in the "broadband" PCS
> auctions? I've looked under fcc.gov and couldn't find it, although
> I was never clear what the file naming convention was. Any help
> is appreciated, post or e-mail.

My understanding is that the MTAs (Metropolitan Trading Areas) and
RTAs (Regional Trading Areas?) being used to divide up the PCS
spectrum were defined by Rand-McNally for other purposes, and are
shown on a map they publish. You might try calling Rand-McNally. I`ve
also seen adds in RCR, or maybe Cellular Business for such maps.


Bruce McGuffin

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

From: [e-mail] (Mark Brader)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Organization: SoftQuad Inc., Toronto, Canada
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 94 00:18:32 GMT


John Perkins ([e-mail]) writes:

> The number '999' is a simple and easy to remember number that, as you
> say, has been used in Great Britain for about 50 years.  I haven't
> heard of any other country that has had a nationwide emergency number
> that long ...

Well, the New Zealand 111 is the same length -- 3 dial pulls and 27
clicks.  (As their numbers 1-9 run the other way, the physical motion
is actually the same.)

But indeed, all the other special numbers of this type that I've heard of
are shorter.  911, for instance, is 3 pulls and just 11 clicks, and 112
is 3 pulls and 4 clicks.

> How can any other number possibly be superior?

Seems to me like almost any 3-digit number would be superior.  999 does
beats lots of full-length numbers, though.

(Deep breath.)

Yes, of course I know that's not what John meant by "had a number that
long".  I just couldn't resist playing on the double meaning.  But,
then, we *are* talking about emergencies, and there are still *some*
dial phones out there, so the length of the number is something to
consider!  (On the other hand, tripled-digit numbers like 999 do have
some advantage in ease of dialing; Britons used to be reminded on how
to find the 9 on a dial phone in the dark.)

Anyone know whether 112 was picked because a person might be able to
"dial" it by flashing the hook if they had to?


Mark Brader, [e-mail], SoftQuad Inc., Toronto

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

From: [e-mail] (Neil A. Giles)
Subject: Industry Standard Ratios?
Organization: NCCOSC RDT&E Division, San Diego, CA
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 22:05:42 GMT


What are industry standard financial ratios for small businesses
conducting operations in the telecommunications arena?  I am
specifically interested in businesses that sell, install, and service
automated voice processing systems, data network cabling and hardware,
and standard corporate phone systems.  Thanks for any feedback!

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 94 21:59:00 EST
From: John C. Fowler <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Caller-Charging 800 Numbers Should be *Banned*


Pat wrote:

> In other words, if there is a telephone sitting somewhere with the
> number 555-1212 on the front of it, who is sitting there answering the
> calls?

Coincidentally, I attended a talk last month by the A.M.O.S. of one of
Southwestern Bell's Operator Service Centers (A.M.O.S. is the latest
abbreviation for the person in charge of the OSC; I think it stands
for Area Manager of Operator Services).  He did mention that
Southwestern Bell handles all 555-1212 calls for area codes within its
region from AT&T, MCI, and Sprint (he didn't mention any others).  He
also said that SWBT is #1 amongst the RBOCs in customer satisfaction
from DA users calling using AT&T.  I guess that implies that it is not
#1 from those calling using MCI or Sprint; any psychologists care to
guess why?

Another interesting tidbit from the talk: most of the (NPA)-555-1212
calls are handled by the RBOC associated with that area code, but it
doesn't have to be that way.  The long distance carriers can choose
their DA providers.  The speaker relayed a story about how (I think)
Bell Atlantic was underbid by a small independent phone company, and
now all the IXCs are routing their 555-1212 calls to that company.

I'm not sure who handles 800-555-1212.  I thought that was Southwestern
Bell also, but the speaker didn't mention it, so I could be wrong.


John C. Fowler, [e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: 800-555-1212 was operated by AT&T for
many years; maybe it still is. For most of that time -- maybe still --
Southwestern Bell handled daily operations of it under a contract with
AT&T. That's back in the days before divestiture; maybe still.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (M Robinson)
Subject: Re: Caller-Charging 800 Numbers Should be *Banned*
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 02:11:10 GMT


> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: But *what company* actually serviced the
> call?  What company responded to you?  Whose operators were talking to
> you?  In other words, if there is a telephone sitting somewhere with the
> number 555-1212 on the front of it, who is sitting there answering the
> calls?  I believe it is AT&T in most or all cases.

Actually, the operator looking up the number on a 555-1212 call is an
employee for a LEC.  The long distance carrier you are presubscribed
to will route your call to the LEC's DA ACD.  That will be AT&T if
they're your carrier.  You can override it using 10XXX just like any
other call (we do it all the time because everyone else charges less
than AT&T's 75 cents).

DA revenue is big for the LEC's, and Judge Greene let them keep it in
the Consent Decree.  MCI's database consists of LEC data only to the
extent that LEC's sell it to anyone.  (Inserts for paid access to a
database of selected DA listings over a modem have been in our LEC
bills here for some months now.)  But MCI also adds data from other
sources in their database, like direct marketing lists, etc.

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

From: [e-mail] (Mike Morris)
Subject: Re: Old Card Dialer Cards
Organization: College Park Software, Altadena, CA
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 13:43:15 GMT


[e-mail] (Wes Leatherock) writes:

> Quoting [e-mail] (Bill Garfield):

>> I have one of the (apparently rare) Western Elect 2660A card dialer
>> telephones (circa early '70s).  It appears to be in perfect working
>> order, tho I have no "new" cards for it.  There is a collection of
>> already punched cards with it, but of course the numbers are no good
>> to me and naturally the punched cards are not re-punchable.

>> Are new cards still available from Ma Bell?  I asked at an AT&T Phone
>> Center Store and drew a blank expression from the sales clerk ...
>> "You've a WHAT?" was the response.

>> Also does anyone know if there was ever a multi-line keyset (1A2)
>> version of the card dialer phone?

>        I don't know if any cards are available now; when I remember
> card dialers was back in the days when you got your terminal equipment
> from the local telephone company and there were additional cards
> available then.  I don't know if extra cards were free or if they were
> ever available directly from any other source.

>        There was indeed a multi-line 1A2 key version; we used to use
> them at conferences in Oklahoma.  We'd set up a little office, and
> have a secretary with two or three lines, and a couple of telephones,
> at least one of which was a card dialer, connected to the same lines
> for the conferees' use.  We'd punch in advance cards for the home and
> office numbers of the conferees, and if I remember right sometimes we
> mailed the cards to the conferees with some of the advance material
> for the conference.

>           Of course, the secretary would also have some blank cards
> for anyone who forgot theirs or wanted one for a different number.

I took a 5-line 1A2 card dialer into the local AT&T store a few months
after they first opened here in Los Angeles.  I showed the clerk the
phone, and a card, and she handed me < 5 boxes > of cards (25 each).
Total price?  About $20, as I recall.  Didn't faze her a bit.

Then I smiled and pulled a card out of my pocket from a Autovon card
dialer (the dial had 16 buttons, in a 4x4 matrix. Similar to a
consumer dial plus an extra column on the right side), and asked for a
box of those cards.  She blinked twice, and looked in her catalog
book.  She looked up and said "I've never seen those before, but they
are in the catalog, special order, no price listed".  I didn't push
the issue then, and order them, now I wish I had.  See, at that time
the Autovon card had come from a friend that found it in a old desk
that he had bought at TRW surplus, and gave to me.  Two years ago I
picked up an Autovon card dialer five-line phone for $5.  I rewired it
for two-wire audio (i.e. I added a network) and to plug into my 1A2 key
system.  It's bright red, and it does get some funny looks from
visitors.  I also have a light grey five-line Autovon phone (WeCo 3565HT)
with a bad dial -- a 66A3A.  Anybody know where I can get a new dial?

I also saw a picture of a Autovon Touch-a-matic -- the 32 number
autodialer phones.  Speaking of Touch-A-Matics, if anybody has some
ten-button (i.e. nine-line) Touch-a-matics, or a source of the nicads for
Touch-a-matics, please email me.  Also a copy of the Ma Bell key
system manual volume 1 (the one with the phone schematics in it).


Mike Morris   WA6ILQ  PO Box 1130  Arcadia, CA. 91077
ICBM: 34.12N, 118.02W   Reply to: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Information Wanted About Arrowsmith Technologies
Date: 20 Dec 1994 15:04:20 GMT
Organization: Pinpoint Communications, Inc.


> [e-mail] writes:

> Is anyone out there familiar with a company called Arrowsmith
> Technologies, Inc?  If so, do you know of a good technical contact?

Arrowsmith Technologies is a company in Austin, Texas, which provides
fleet management solutions for the cable TV industry.  They are a
system integrator which primarily uses existing radio channels which
the cable TV company currently has, and they add their own application
software together with radio data modems and GPS equipment from
specialized manufacturers.

I do not have a technical contact, but I do have contact information:

Brenda London, Marketing Manager
Gordon Graves, President & CEO
8900 Shoal Creek Blvd.  Bldg 300
Austin, TX 78758
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]

I hope this helps.


Wayne Stargardt   Pinpoint Communications   [e-mail]

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

From: /G=Brad/S=Hicks/OU1=[e-mail]
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 17:27:23 -0600
Subject: Re: DSS Satellite System Information


If you haven't done so yet, look for the FAQ in rec.video.satellite.dbs;
I think the message is usually titled something like "U.S. High-Powered
DBS Frequently Asked Questions."  Any info not mentioned or referenced
in there is probably proprietary to the vendors.


J. Brad Hicks     Internet: mc![e-mail]
X.400: c=US admd=ATTMail prmd=MasterCard sn=Hicks gn=Brad

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #464
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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #465

TELECOM Digest     Wed, 21 Dec 94 00:10:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 465

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Merry Christmas! Warning: Long, Off-Topic and ASCII Art (Rob Slade)
    Re: Idea: Residential Always Gets CID; Business Blockable? (Olcay Cirit)
    Re: Help With IS-41 and MAP (Jeffrey Rhodes)
    Re: Fun With Caller ID (Kevin Paul Herbert)
    Re: Pilgrim Tel's 1-800-COLLEKT to Cellular (John Levine)
    Call Accounting Products (James Kovaly)
    Does NYC Have GSM Service? (J.J. Fai)
    Get a GSM Mobile in the States (Cheng Tak Cheong Wilson)
    Information Wanted on NEC 2000 Switch (Anthony Hologounis)
    Re: Western Union Telephones (Al Cohan)
    Information Wanted on FedTel (Tim Bach)
    Telecom Manager/Technician Survey (Michael S. McMahon)
    George Gilder Information Wanted (David Patrick)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
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Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual
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*************************************************************************
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----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 15:24:59 EST
From: Rob Slade <[e-mail]>
Subject: Merry Christmas! Warning: Long, Off-Topic and ASCII Art


No, you don't have to worry: there is no self-reproducing code in
this.  I always felt that the CHRISTMA EXEC tree was a bit simplistic.
My own usual "tree", although a very simple cone shape, was at least
decorated.  I was amused to receive this response to one Christmas
mailing:

==============================
 From: [e-mail] (William A. Emanuelsen)
 Subject: Re: My Christmas Tree (which is *much* better than CHRISTMA EXEC)
 Date: 14 Dec 1992 21:37:47 GMT

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Robert Slade)
writes:
          \|/
         --*--
          /|\
           ^
          ^^*
         ^#^^^
        ^^^&^^^
       ^%^^^^*^^       MERRY
      ^^^^-^^^^[^
     ^^*^^^^/^^^^^     CHRISTMAS
    ^*^^^&^^^^0^^^^
   ^^^+^^^^X^^^^^^^&
  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
          ^^^
          ^^^
  """""""""""""""""""

You put pretzels on your tree!!??!!  I use candy canes: JJJJJJJJ, but
they seem to fall off kind of easy.  When I was a kid, they made 'em
better, or at least right-side up!  Your tree looks like a spruce.
Here is a small fir tree and an artificial tree and some ornaments:

      ~             /\          ***        = snow flakes
     ~~~           /  \         @@@@       = glass balls wih fake snow
    ~~~~~         /    \        JJJJJ      = candy canes
   ~~~~~~~       /      \       oooo       = small glass balls
  ~~~~~~~~~     /        \      OOO        = large glass balls
 ~~~~~~~~~~~    ----------      |||||||||  = tinsel
      |             /\

"I need a vacation!" -- The Terminator

William A. Emanuelsen    I degaussed my girlfriend and I'm
[e-mail]      just not attracted to her anymore.

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

Given Padgett Peterson's delight with printable-character-only programming,
his tree comes as no surprise:

             *
             |
            abc
           defgh
          ijklmno
         pqrstuvwx
        yzabcdefghi
       jklmnopqrstuv
           wxyz
            |
           ---

 From: [e-mail] (A. Padgett Peterson)

It can even be used as an eye chart.
Then there are those from DECII of the past.  Marcus Schack, former DECUS
Canada president and long time power behind the DECUS Symposium sent out
a very elaborate scene:

 ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 |   ___________           *                                          |
 |  |   ) | (   |          ^            Seasons Greetings!!           |
 |  |  )  |  (  |         o^o               Happy Holidays!!          |
 |  | )___|___( |        ^^o^^                  Happy New Year!!      |
 |  |)    |    (|       ^o^^^o^                                       |
 |  |  o  |  o  |      ^^^^o^^^^                    ___________       |
 |  |__U__|__U__|     ^o^^^o^^^o^                  [___________]      |
 |                   ^^^^o^^^o^^^^                 |   _____   |      |
 |                  o^^o^^^o^^^o^^o                |  |     |  |      |
 |              *         |_|         *    *       |  |     |  |      |
 |   __________[X]_______/___\_______[X]__[X]______|__|(wVw)|__|___   |
 |                                                                    |
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------

I recall following a thread on alt.ascii-art that was trying to gather as
many Christmas/New Years greetings as they could in as many langauges as
they could.  They should have taken tips from Jean-Francois Mezei, DECUS
gadfly, nude Arctic cyclist and chocaholic:

MUKLUK::FRANCOISM "Jean-Frangois Mezei"          22-DEC-1992 14:20

                                      **
    .             .                  *@@*      .                              .
                                    *@@@@*                      .
          .                          /@@\
                           .        //  \\         .
                                   //    \\                               .
                                   //    \\                 .
  .                              //  Meli  \\
                .               // Kalimaka \\    .                 .
                                 //        \\                                .
                               //            \\
                              // Joyeux  Nokl \\        .
       .               .     //  Bonne  Annie  \\
                            / //              \\ \              .
                             //                \\   .                         .
                            //   Buon Natale e  \\
 .            .             //  Felice Anno Nuovo \\
                          /  //                \\  \       .           .
                            //                  \\
                     .     //   Merry Christmas  \\               .
                          //    Happy New Year    \\      .                   .
      .                  / //                    \\ \
                          //                      \\
                 .       //  Frvehliche Weinachten \\              .
                        // Alles Gute Zum Neuen Jahr\\                     .
 .                     /  //                      \\  \
           .             //                        \\      .
                        //                          \\
                   .   //Chuc Mung Giang sinh Nam Moi\\
    .                 / //                          \\ \           .         .
                       //                            \\
                      //         Feliz Navidad        \\
             .       //      y Prospero Aqo Nuevo      \\   .
                    /  //                            \\  \
                      //                              \\                .
 .                    //      Milad sa`id wa in sha     \\
                    //        allah sana mubaraka       \\
              .    //                                    \\      .       .
     .            //**************************************\\
                 //              ************              \\                .
                                 ************
                                 **        **                    .
 .          .                     ************
                                 ************
##############################################################################

    Seasons greetings to you and your staff. May this festive season bring
                       your joy, happiness and properity

Regards,
        Jean-Frangois Mezei
        Vaxination Informatique

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

Regardless of your choice of tree, or character set, Merry Christmas to you
all, and may your system crashes be few in 1995.

DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer [e-mail], [e-mail], Rob Slade at 1:153/733
Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" 0-387-94311-0/3-540-94311-0


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: The thing I really miss Robert, are your
excellent book reviews which you submitted to the Digest for such a long
time. Why are you not doing it now?  As time permits over the next month
or two, I am going to set up a directory in the Telecom Archives for all
those really great reviews which appeared here earlier this year. Perhaps
it will serve as impetus to get the feed started again in 1995.  And
happy new year to you also, Robert.    PAT]

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

Date: Tue, 20 Dec 94 18:06:08 PST
From: [e-mail] (olcay cirit)
Subject: Re: Idea: Residential Always Gets CID; Business Blockable?


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

> Question holds: who would want to remain anonymous when calling a
> residential phone besides a prank caller, or someone cheating on his
> wife who doesn't want his wife to know?

Me. In my opinion, it is _not_ a matter of whether I have something to
hide or not, it _is_ a matter of _my_ personal privacy. How do I know
that whoever I am calling is not a prank caller?

My conclusion is that residential CID blocking is a two-way blind.

olcay

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

From: [e-mail] (Jeffrey Rhodes)
Subject: Re: Help With IS-41 and MAP
Date: 21 Dec 1994 02:17:50 GMT
Organization: McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail]


In article [e-mail], Alex Cena <[e-mail]>
writes:

> Can someone help me with the differences between IS-41 protocol used
> by cellular networks in the U.S. and MAP used by GSM?  Are they
> compatible so an existing cellular carrier who purchases a PCS license
> and builds a DCS1900 offer nationwide roaming between cellular and
> PCS?  i.e. I have a cellular license in Chicago and a PCS license in
> New York -- can my subscriber in New York roam on my network in Chicago.

The short answer is no.

Did you convince any mobile terminal manufacturers to build 1.9Gig GSM
transceivers with a selector for 800Meg IS-41 AMPS/TDMA transceivers?

McCaw Cellular One is trialing international roaming: an American can
take a smart card to Europe and use GSM smart card terminals to bill
their home cellular number, but that's different than using the same
device in GSM and IS41.


Jeffrey Rhodes

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

From: [e-mail] (Kevin Paul Herbert)
Subject: Re: Fun With Caller ID
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 18:52:55 -0800
Organization: cisco Systems, Inc., Ashland, OR


> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Maybe so, but what kind of big deal is
> that? You are learning nothing knew since you already knew what number
> you were calling when you originally dialed it. In other words, what
> secret about the party at the other end are you learning as a result?
> Maybe I am missing something here.   PAT]

I guess that I get a lot more busy signals than you do, but I often have
three or four requests queued at a time.

Back in California, where I couldn't have Caller ID, I had a few
occasions of getting the ringback, and not being able to tell by the
greeting of the person that I called which particular redial request
it was. I happened to have queued calls for two people who have very
similar voices, and I guessed wrong once ... and then got into a long
conversation about *66 and *69 when I said hello to the wrong person,
and started talking to my friend about repairs needed on my house
(thinking that she was my landlady) ...

I now live in a state with Caller ID, and incidentally noticed Caller
ID when I did a queued *66 request. I doubt I'll ever get confused
again about who I'm calling when I have multiple *66 requests going.


Kevin

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

From: [e-mail] (John Levine)
Subject: Re: Pilgrim Tel's 1-800-COLLEKT to cellular
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 94 03:41:09 GMT


> I used it to call my cellular phone collect, and it worked! This means
> you can get free phone calls to your cell phone from Pilgrim because
> they're network doesn't recognize that the cell phone's ANI is unbillable!

The Chief Quack noted in response:

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Quack Comments: Don't be too sure about that!
> ... The charge will get to you eventually, just be patient. :) quack
> quack! PAT]

I wouldn't count on it.  Let's say I call my Atlantic Cellular number
in Vermont.  Atlantic Cell is a non-Bell A side cellular phone
company, which means that they don't have equal access anything; all
toll calls are billed directly, and I think carried by AT&T.  Atlantic
Cell has no billing arrangements with anyone else.  So someone calls
my number on 802-296-xxxx, which like all cellular numbers is actually
a DID trunk belonging to the cellular carrier, Pilgrim Tel bills
Atlantic Cellular, the customer identified by the ANI, and Atlantic
Cellular tells them to buzz off.  End of story.

Pilgrim Tel happens to be a small IXC here in Cambridge which started
by running home-made bridges serving 550-XXXX low cost (10 cents/min)
chat lines, and has branched out into 976 and 1-900 hot chat and other
high-margin, frequently sleazy phone services.  I know the guy who
runs Pilgrim Tel, will ask him the next time I see him.  My guess is
that it's probably cheaper for them to eat the cost of unbillable
calls than to install the equipment needed to detect and block them.

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

From: [e-mail] (James Kovaly)
Subject: Call Accounting Products
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 19:55:44 -0400
Organization: MindSpring Enterprises, Inc.


Has anyone out there evaluated X.25 and Voice call accounting packages
that will process call detail records for use in a billing system?

Or can someone provide me with a list of possible product vendors?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.


j.kovaly

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

From: JJ Fai <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 19:27:09 -0500
Subject: Does NYC Have GSM Service?


We recently moved from Paris, France to New York, taking our GSM phone
with us. Now we are wondering whether GSM service exists here, and if
so, from whom, at what rates, etc.

All assistance will be deeply appreciated.


JJ Fai

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

From: [e-mail] (Cheng Tak Cheong Wilson)
Subject: Get a GSM Mobile in the States
Organization: The University of Hong Kong
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 17:13:39 GMT


Hi,

I will be in San Francisco San Jose and Los Angeles in late January.
As I know I can subscribe to HK mobile carrier with a GSM phone
purchase in the States. So I would like to get one, properly the
Ericsson 337 or the Motorola GSM phone.

Could anyone provide me with information for purchasing one in the
area I am going to visit, shop location, price.

Any comment are welcome and appreciated.

Feel free to e-mail directly to me.

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

From: [e-mail] (Anthony Hologounis)
Subject: Information Wanted on NEC 2000 Switch
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 10:47:59 MST
Organization: Primenet


Anyone have any interest in NEC 2000 switch?

Would like info, tips ...

Thanks.

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

From: [e-mail] (Al Cohan)
Subject: Re: Western Union Telephones
Organization: Los Angeles Free-Net
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 19:10:03 GMT


If the "new" Western Union phones are anything like the old ones they
will work when they want to.

Does anyone remember the old WU "Grey Whale"? It was part of WU's old
Metro service and you selected the bandwidth. It was grey and looked a
lot like the early TIE phones. The best part was that it used MF for
dialing.

I guess I'm getting old ... I remember them very well.


AL

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

From: [e-mail] (Tim Bach)
Subject:Information Wanted on FedTel
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 21:45:25 PST


Does anyone have any information on FedTel?  It's some kind of long
distance company. I am looking for a phone number for it.  Please
email me.


[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Michael S McMahon)
Subject: Telecom Manager/Technician Survey
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 1994 23:45:24 GMT


    Greetings.  I'd like to conduct a brief and informal survey about the
salary and responsibilities of Telecommunications Managers and
Technicians.  If you feel so inclined, please send email with the
following:

1.  What is your annual or monthly salary and title?
2.  Do you receive overtime pay or compensatory time off for overtime?
3.  Are you dedicated to telecomm or is it just one of your responsibilities?
4.  Are you on-call via some method?  If so, via pager or cellular?
5.  What is the size of your organization?  (In any quantity you prefer,
    be it people, extensions, locations, etc.)
6.  Where are you located?  (City and State, Province, or Country.)
7.  Do you have any other comments or information you feel is pertinent?

    I realize some of this information is sensitive, and any responses
will be kept in strict confidence.  I would like to be able to
summarize and re-post, however, with geographical references (if
given) but without attribution.  If you don't feel like answering one
or more of the questions but don't have a problem with the others,
please drop a line anyway.

   If you'd prefer not to be part of the summary in any form, please say
that as well.

   Thank you for your time and cooperation!


Mike    [e-mail]

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

From: David Patrick <[e-mail]>
Subject: George Gilder Information Wanted
Date: 20 Dec 1994 17:31:46 GMT
Organization: BT, Systems Research


Where can I get some information upon George Gilder's work? I hear
that they are in the Telecom Archives maintained by the moderator of
comp.dcom.telecom.


Thanks,

David Patrick   [e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Hey, that's me you are talking about. Yes,
you will find Gilder's essays in the Telecom Archives, in a sub-directory
therein by that name. In fact I spent several hours Tuesday evening putting
several new files in the archives and organizing things a little. One
change made was collecting all the Gilder essays and installing then in a
directory of their own.

I also a bit earlier this evening sent out a new updated copy of the
index to the Telecom Archives, and all subscribers to the mailing list
should have it by now. Additionally, I sent a copy to Usenet in the
comp.dcom.telecom newsgroup. Users of the archives should let me know of
any corrections to be made such as mis-named and/or mis-located files
they see. The archives is getting *awfully* large, so I hope everyone
will take to heart my message earlier on Tuesday and help out financially
as much as you deem appropriate in order that this work can continue.
Please do not misunderstand -- it *will* continue as long as I am here
to do it -- but your help is greatly appreciated.    PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #465
******************************


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Date: Wed, 21 Dec 94 10:59:15 CST
From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #466

TELECOM Digest     Wed, 21 Dec 94 10:59:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 466

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Picture Phone Direct On-Line Catalog (David C. Weber)
    Re: British Telecom Information Superhighway Setback (Yves Blondeel)
    Re: Caller-Charging 800 Numbers Should be *Banned* (Michael P. Deignan)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Linc Madison)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Ilja Schliffkowitz)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Thomas Diessel)
    Re: PacBell Not Aiming to "Please" (Larry Lee)
    Re: Telephone Directory for Entire United States? (Benjamin P. Carter)
    Re: 500 Number Assignments, Listed by Company ([e-mail])
    Re: Help With IS-41 and MAP ([e-mail])
    Re: The Bandwidth Tidal Wave by George Gilder (William Pechter)
    IXC Invoice Over the Internet? (Scott Kennedy)
    GSM in Germany (Nick Pitfield)
    Telecoms in Iceland (Julian Thornhill)
    New List: CCMI-L (Telecom Managers Forum) (Eric Paulak)
    Re: Usenet Feed by Satellite (Russell Nelson)
    Euro ISDN Approvals/Safety Test Lab WWW Server (Gerry McMahon)
    Disabling Call Waiting (Jim Santos)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers.
Suggested subscription price is a donation of twenty dollars per year per
reader. Write and tell us how you qualify:

                 * [e-mail] *

The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
or phone at:
                    9457-D Niles Center Road
                     Skokie, IL USA   60076
                       Phone: [phone]
                        Fax: [phone]
  ** Article submission address only: [e-mail] **

Our archives are located at lcs.mit.edu and are available by using
anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email
information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to
use the information service, just ask.

*************************************************************************
*   TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the              *
* International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland    *
* under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES)   *
* project.  Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-*
* ing views of the ITU.                                                 *
*************************************************************************

Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such
as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help
is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per
reader per year will help out a lot keeping our bills paid.

All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 21 Dec 94 08:35:53 EST
From: David C. Weber <[e-mail]>
Subject: Picture Phone Direct On-Line Catalog


Picture Phone Direct announces new On-line catalog of desktop
videoconferencing products.

The new PicturePhone Direct videoconferencing products catalog is now
available via the internet. The catalog features desktop videoconferencing
products and accessories from Intel, CLI, PictureTel, IBM, AT&T, and
several other key industry players. The catalog can be accessed using
the following URL: "http://ppd.gems.com/ppd". The catalog is also
available in a printed version.

For your printed version please call [phone], or [phone].

Also!!! *As a special promotion for Internet users the first 250
people to browse our on-line catalog and fill out our email list form
will be sent a free copy of the book "Videoconferencing Secrets" by
Goldstein & Goldstein.  The book retails for $9.95 and is full of
helpful hints for improving your communication effectiveness when
conferencing.


Name: <David C. Weber>
Picture Phone Direct
200 Commerce Dr.
Rochester, NY 14623
Phone [phone] Fax [phone]
E-mail [e-mail]

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

From: Yves Blondeel <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: British Telecom Information Superhighway Setback
Date: 21 Dec 1994 15:28:18 GMT
Organization: FUNDP, Namur, Belgium


[e-mail] (Liang Shing NG) wrote:

> Comments on the UK Government recent decision leading to British
> Telecom abandonment of its information superhighway.

General comment: substantial over-dramatising (by BT and by others)
of the restriction to offer particular media services.

The "ban" on BT offering certain services in the United Kingdom:
summary of the facts for information:

Key policy document relevant to this question:
UK Government White Paper entitled: "Competition and Choice:
Telecommunications Policy for the 1990s". March 1991.

The prohibition applies to all UK Public Telecommunications Operators
(PTOs) and concerns the "conveyance of entertainment services
nationally in their own right". It is enforced by means of "soft law"
i.e. in the operators' individual telecommunications licences.  The UK
government's policy, as set out in its White Paper of 1991 is not to
consider lifting the prohibition until ten years after March 1991.

It is very important to understand that:

  The prohibition only applies to the licensed PTOs
  (a full list is available from OFTEL - it includes BT and Mercury
  Communications). The PTOs are explicitly subject to the prohibition
  as part of their PTO licence (only within the geographical coverage
  stipulated in their PTO licence).

  The prohibition only applies to PTOs "in their own right".
  This means that the PTOs' parent companies or subsidiaries or other
  associates are not subject to the prohibition (these companies will
  of course need to meet the Broadcasting Act requirements applicable
  for provision of entertainment services if they wish to be licensed).


  The prohibition only applies to the delivery of entertainment
  services directly to residential customers as end-users in a local
  loop. The conveyance of signals within the network, for example to
  cable TV head-ends and also to individual business users,
  is permitted.

  Since April 1, 1994, the national PTOs may tender "in their own
  right" for a "local delivery licence (cable TV licence) in areas
  where no licence for "local delivery" has (yet) been granted.
  Such licences are not granted by the Department of Trade and
  Industry; they are granted by the ITC (Independent Television
  Commission).


Yves Blondeel   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Michael P. Deignan)
Subject: Re: Caller-Charging 800 Numbers Should be *Banned*
Date: 21 Dec 1994 14:32:23 GMT
Organization: The ACE Tomato Company


I have a real problem with non-free 800 numbers.

For years the industry has promoted the perception that 800 numbers
are "free calls". I'm not going to rehash the numerous arguments made
in that respect.

The point that I do want to bring up is some people say "well, the 800 call is
still free, you're just being charged for the information".

Well, if this is in fact true, why can't I do the same thing with my
regular business line? Why can't I have the phone company bill $50/min for
every call placed to my 401-xxx-xxxx non-976 number?

Some people would say "well, there are 976 numbers for that purpose",
and I agree -- however, if you're willing to allow charge 800 numbers,
then certainly the same principle applies to my local telephone number
as well.

Now, if I could only do this to my residental line, wouldn't all those
telemarketing companies be surprised when they call and I keep asking
them to tell me all about their product for a whole hour ... you know,
that doesn't actually sound half-bad ... $50/min times 60 minutes --
hey, I could make a living at that!


MD

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

Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 01:08:31 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Linc Madison)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)


In article <[e-mail]> Mark Brader ([e-mail]) wrote:

> (On the other hand, tripled-digit numbers like 999 do have
> some advantage in ease of dialing; Britons used to be reminded on how
> to find the 9 on a dial phone in the dark.)

> Anyone know whether 112 was picked because a person might be able to
> "dial" it by flashing the hook if they had to?

I rather suspect it was picked because of the ease with which a
cordless phone with failing batteries will dial it spuriously.  I
think it's terribly important to notify the local gendarmes/polizei/
carabinieri whenever the battery of a cordless phone gives out.

When I was in college (in the US), the number 121 was used to grab a
trunk from the dormitory centrex into the university offices.  Our
emergency number was 121-3131, until they changed it to 121-3333.  The
number 125 was used to grab a trunk to the satellite campus, so we
sometimes dialed 121-125-121-125-121-125-121, just to see how many
trunks we could tie up with one phone call.  Of course, the system
*should* have been smart enough to drop the circular-routed trunks,
but I wouldn't be at all surprised if it wasn't.

Back on the subject of emergency numbers, though, when this phone
system was originally installed, the university disabled dialing out
to an outside trunk and back into the university offices -- in other
words, you were required to dial 121-xxxx instead of 9-452-xxxx.
However, given the frequency with which all trunks were busy on 121
and the fact that a couple of medical emergencies got delayed, they
re-enabled that feature.


Linc Madison   *   Oakland, California   *   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Ilja Schliffkowitz)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Date: 21 Dec 1994 11:24:56 GMT
Organization: Uniklinik Koeln, Comp. Center of the administration
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Bob Goudreau ([e-mail]) wrote Mon, 19 Dec 1994 19:12:28:

> [e-mail] (Erling Kristiansen) write:

>> As a side remark, I wonder how they came up with 112, which has a very
>> high rate of conflict with existing numbers. Most EU countries have
>> "0" as first digit to escape from local call to long distance or
>> special service.

> Yes, but many EU countries have long used numbers beginning with "1"
> for other special services, have they not?  What other European
> countries besides the Netherlands have (or had) local exchanges that
> start with "11" (or even just "1")?  Not many, I believe.

In Germany, we have special services starting with "1", but local
exchanges starting with "1[0-9]" are widely spread. Fortunately, 112
is our fire/ambulance number, 110 is police.

Europe is about to be merged into a single NP, country code 3, but
discussions are still at a low level.

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

From: [e-mail] (Thomas Diessel)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 10:16:45 +0100
Organization: University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
(John Perkins) wrote:

> The number '999' is a simple and easy to remember number that, as you
> say, has been used in Great Britain for about 50 years.  I haven't
> heard of any other country that has had a nationwide emergency number
> that long, a number that is familiar to the entire population over the
> age of 18 months.

The disadvantage of 999 is that it requires 27 pulses to dial. 112
requires only 4.


Thomas Diessel  University of the Federal Armed Forces Munich
Computer Science Department - D-85577 Neubiberg, Germany

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

From: [e-mail] (Larry Lee)
Subject: Re: PacBell Not Aiming to "Please"
Date: 21 Dec 1994 07:27:53 -0800
Organization: Twin Sun Inc, El Segundo, CA, USA


[e-mail] (Steve Cogorno) writes:

>> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Yes, this is correct in many places. Here
>> in the Chicago area Ameritech has experimented with having the operator's
>> voice pre-recorded on a small chip which holds about two seconds of
>> recording. It goes something like this, "Operator Jane, may I help you?".

> Something that bugs me is that AT&T uses a standard greeting for all
> operators.  It is REALLY obvious that the operator is not the same person as
> the voice that says "AT&T, how may I help you" (Especially if it's a man!)
> Do they think we won't notice?

The real problem is patents.  A company, (Golden Enterprises ??), came
up with the 'novel' idea that a person's voice could be recorded and
played as a standard telephone greeting.  This in NOT the same company
that invented digitized speech or the boards used to record and play
the speech. All this company did was note that operator answers the
phone with the same greeting everytime and it was possible to record
that greeting and play it back when the phone was answered.

I sure wish I was smart enough to think up brand new and novel ideas
like this!

To avoid paying royalities on this particular patent many companies
use a 'generic' male and 'generic' female voice and not a recording of
the operators voice.  Some companies don't even try that hard.

The NYNEX directory assistance and intercept operators and probably
soon their toll and assist operators use a operator workstation which
is an IBM PC using a Natural Micro Systems voice card. When an
operator signs on to a workstation, their profile is pulled into the
workstation.  This includes the recorded voice used in greetings for
various types of phone calls.

As of a year ago, there was no provision for a operator to queue a
spoken prompt such as "How do you spell that", but that may have
changed. (If not run, don't walk, to the patent office). The system
delivered to NYNEX had the provision to store individual voice prompt
for each operator, but if the personal voice prompts were not
available generic male and female voices would be used.

Also note that the backend system which speaks the phone number to
the caller is an entirely different system and no connection to the
voice on the operators workstation.


Larry

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

From: [e-mail] (Benjamin P. Carter)
Subject: Re: Telephone Directory for Entire United States?
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 07:29:31 GMT


[e-mail] (Trent Stevens) writes:

> Is there such a thing?  I've already found one for Switzerland, but
> one for the US would also be great, and less prone to obsolescence
> than the typical CD-ROM directories that are out now.

Just for the fun of it, let's do a simple estimate of the size of such
a database.  Say there are 100 million phone numbers in the US (the
same order of magnitude as the number of dwellings, or families, or
cars, or ...)  Let's say further that it takes 30 bytes to encode the
name and address along with each phone number.  By multiplication, we
obtain the estimate: 3000 Megabytes.  That is a BIG database.  It
won't fit on a CD-ROM.  Chances are that such a database, if it
exists, is owned by some outfit that charges exorbitant dollars per
minute to allow you to access it.

The CD-ROM directories I have seen cover either business or residential
phones (not both) and cover only a subset of states.  They are also
very inaccurate.  Obsolescence is only part of their deficiency.  Many
names are missing, even though the numbers are old and are listed in
local directories.  Other entries are mangled in various ways.


Ben Carter   internet address: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Kronos)
Subject: Re: 500 Number Assignments, Listed by Company
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 07:42:52 GMT


[e-mail] (Linc Madison) writes:

> Kronos ([e-mail]) wrote:

>> FYI, here are the NPA 500 assignments:

>> HORRY TEL COOP INC   535

> Hmm.  If this company had been part of pre-divestiture AT&T, would we
> have to call it Horry-Bell?

This obscure small company serves the following rural areas of North Carolina:

803-236  EAST CONWAY (HORRY CO), NC
803-293  LAKEWOOD, NC
803-340  EAST CONWAY (HORRY CO), NC
803-347  EAST CONWAY, NC
803-349  EAST CONWAY, NC
803-357  MURRELLS INLET, NC
803-358  AYNOR, NC
803-365  NORTH CONWAY, NC
803-392  FLOYDS, NC
803-397  SOUTH CONWAY, NC
803-399  WAMPEE, NC
803-650  COLLINS CREEK, NC
803-651  MURRELLS INLET, NC
803-756  LORIS, NC
803-071  NORTH CONWAY, NC
803-215  COLLINS CREEK, NC
500-535  SPECIAL ACCESS SERVICES


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Did you mean '071' in the case of North
Conway shown above?   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Rupes)
Subject: Re: Help With IS-41 and MAP
Date: 21 Dec 1994 02:57:43 -0500
Organization: Concentric Research Corporation


[e-mail] (Jeffrey Rhodes) writes:

> In article [e-mail], Alex Cena <[e-mail]>
> writes:

>> Can someone help me with the differences between IS-41 protocol used
>> by cellular networks in the U.S. and MAP used by GSM?  Are they
>> compatible so an existing cellular carrier who purchases a PCS license
>> and builds a DCS1900 offer nationwide roaming between cellular and
>> PCS?  i.e. I have a cellular license in Chicago and a PCS license in
>> New York -- can my subscriber in New York roam on my network in Chicago.

> The short answer is no.

> Did you convince any mobile terminal manufacturers to build 1.9Gig GSM
> transceivers with a selector for 800Meg IS-41 AMPS/TDMA transceivers?

> McCaw Cellular One is trialing international roaming: an American can
> take a smart card to Europe and use GSM smart card terminals to bill
> their home cellular number, but that's different than using the same
> device in GSM and IS41.

That is the short answer -- but it is a very misleading one...

As you point out, the difference in carrier (900MHz vs 1.9GHz) and
other air interface is important.

However, the difference between MAP / IS41 only matters at the higher
protocol layers. To be simplisitic 'digits is digits' and so long as a
base station contains a Layer 2 protocol that can detect the type of
call and process it according to the right menu of algorithms, then
why is there a problem?

Detect which call it is, select the software, translate as required --
and BINGO !


rupert

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

Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 09:45:14 -0500
From: william pechter ILEX <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: The Bandwidth Tidal Wave by George Gilder
Organization: Army Stars Demonstration Project, Ft. Monmouth, NJ


In article <[e-mail]> is written:

> Here is another in the excellent series of essays by George Gilder. This
> one comes from his newest book, Telecosm, to be published next year.

> PAT

>>   In 1992, Microsoft assigned this problem to Craig Mundie, a veteran
>> of Data General in Massachusetts, who had gone on to found Alliant
>> Computer, one of the more successful of the massively parallel
>> computer firms.  As a supercomputer man, Mundie initially explored a
>> hardware solution, hiring a team of computer designers from
>> Supercomputer Systems Inc.

Considering Alliant went Chapter 7 -- I don't think it qualified as "one of
the more successful of the massively parallel computer firms."

I wasn't there when it folded -- but since it's main competitor Convex
is still alive -- I wouldn't consider it well run or successful.

Alliant had some very nice engineering touches, some good design folks
but pretty flaky ideas of how to run a computer business (considering
the number of DG and DEC folks inside -- you'd figure they'd have a
better clue ...


Bill Pechter   formerly of Alliant Customer Service

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

From: [e-mail] (Scott Kennedy)
Subject: IXC Invoice over the Internet?
Date: 21 Dec 1994 14:59:54 GMT
Organization: Netcom


Does any long distance carrier provide billing via the Internet?  Is
this available for small businesses (like mine?)?


Scott


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Exactly how would they go about billing
'via the Internet'?   There are none that I know of.    PAT]

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

Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 14:58:06 +0000
From: nick (n.t.) pitfield <[e-mail]>
Subject: GSM in Germany
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: BNR Europe Limited


Greetings,

I will soon be moving to southern Germany (Friedrichschafen) for a
couple of years and am interested in getting a GSM phone for use both
there and during my ocassional trips back to the UK.

I currently have an Nokia 101 analogue, which I think is a very well
designed and functional phone (for it's time) and thus am thinking
about getting the similarly styled Nokia 2110 GSM phone, which I
understand is pretty much the dog's bollocks as far as GSM phones go.

Could somebody please post or email me the costs of this and similar
phones in Germany, and also details on the different tariffs available,
eg monthly line rental, call costs, insurance etc etc.


Regards,

Nick      EMAIL [e-mail]
SNAILMAIL BNR Europe Ltd, Concorde Rd, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 4AG, UK

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

Date: Wed, 21 Dec 94 13:35:43 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Julian Thornhill)
Subject: Telecoms in Iceland


I am wanting to set up an occasional high speed data link from UK to
Iceland. My initial idea is to use 28.8kbps modems but I would really
like to use ISDN. British Telecom do not have an ISDN service to
Iceland nor do they claim to have any future plans. Does anyone know
if Iceland runs or plans to run ISDN?

Also, to which approvals standard must modems conform? I hear that it
is to Danish standards but I'm not sure.

Lastly, does anyone have a contact phone/fax no or email address for
the Iceland telephone company?

If anyone in Iceland is out there reading this please email me!


Regards,

Julian Thornhill   [e-mail]
Physics Dept., Leicester University,
University Road, Leicester, UK
Tel [phone] FAX [phone]

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

Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 09:16:23 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Eric Paulak)
Subject: New List: CCMI-L (Telecom Managers Forum)


CCMI-L on [e-mail]  (411 Telecom Managers Forum)

CCMI-L is an open, unmoderated discussion list for managers
responsible for voice and data communications.  Network management
issues, such as new technologies, services, products, equipment and
budgeting are likely to be discussed.  Participation from the private
and public sectors, and academic institutions is welcome.

To subscribe, send the following command in the BODY of mail to
[e-mail] on the Internet:

SUBSCRIBE CCMI-L (your name)

For example:
SUBSCRIBE CCMI-L stim mits

Owner: Phil Kemelor <[e-mail]>
If a message is ever rejected, please contact "[e-mail]"

411 Telecom Managers Forum is sponsored by "411", the leading
independent newsletter that provides cutting-edge advice and analysis to
thousands of telecom managers, MIS directors and network analysts.

Telecom executives who subscribe to the list for the first time will, at their
request, be able to receive a complimentary copy of the TELECOM AUDIT
HANDBOOK, which provides more than 21 proven tactics to find and fix
costly overcharges.

For more information, contact Phil Kemelor via the Internet at:
[e-mail]


Eric Paulak
The Center for Communications Management Information
the largest provider of rate and tariff information
in North America and publisher of specialty telecom
newsletters and on-line services.
[phone], ext. 327
11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 1100, Rockville, MD 20852

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

Date: Wed, 21 Dec 94 11:08 EST
From: [e-mail] (Russell Nelson)
Subject: Re: Usenet Feed by Satellite?


Heatwole, Antony <[e-mail]> wrote:

> I read about a company that sells a Usenet feed by satellite, but I
> can't remember the name of the company. Does anyone have any information
> about this company or service?

Ask [e-mail].


russ <[e-mail]>    http://www.crynwr.com/crynwr/nelson.html
Crynwr Software   | Crynwr Software sells packet driver support | ask4 PGP key
11 Grant St.      | [phone] (9201 FAX)  | What is thee doing about it?
Potsdam, NY 13676 | What part of "Congress shall make no law" eludes Congress?

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Euro ISDN Approvals/Safety Test Lab WWW Server
Date: 21 Dec 1994 10:07:40 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway


The National Electronics Test Centre (NETC), Dublin, Ireland provides
electrical, electronics and communications testing services and
consultancy. The lab specialises in ISDN and acts as an approvals
gateway to Europe for international manufacturers and suppliers of
telecoms equipment.

Services offered include ISDN and PSTN safety and conformance testing,
safety testing of IT equipment, environmental testing and EMC testing.
NETC has a software development team with extensive experience in the
development of ISDN and X25 protocol test tools. The laboratory has a
wide range of international accreditations. Its approvals reports are
widely accepted throughout Europe.

NETC is pleased to announce a new WWW server describing the laboratory
and its services. The URL is:

http://www.netc.ie

We would appreciate any user feedback to help improve this server.


Gerry McMahon     Systems Manager, NETC    [[e-mail]]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jim Santos)
Subject: Disabling Call Waiting
Date: 21 Dec 1994 11:24:37 -0500
Organization: Clam Associates


Hi,

I have a hypothetical question.  If I have call waiting, I can prefix
my call with *70 to cancel call waiting for my phone for the duration
of the call.  If I want to call a friend who also has call waiting
using my modem so that his modem will pick up, is there some way to
disable call waiting for both parties so that the modems will not be
interrupted?


Thanks,

Jim


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: It all depends. Assuming you have the
permission of the person (whose modem) you are calling to make such a
change, and assuming that person's phone line has both the ability to
disable call waiting and *disable it after a call has been received*
then yes, it can be done. Normally disabling call waiting has to be
done before a call is placed, in the process of dialing the number. In
some central offices, if the subscriber has three-way calling (thus
giving him a valid reason for flashing the hook once a call is in
progress) that hook flash can be used to dial a stand-alone *70 and
automatically return to the call in progress with call waiting disabled
for the duration of the call.

The trouble comes up between modems. If his modem answers yours, then
any flash of the hook afterward is going to put you on hold, cause a
loss of carrier and the connection to be dropped, your modem making the
assumption there was no answer, or the call was finished or whatever.
So, he has got to do some funny business *before* his modem answers your
call. He cannot just have the modem answer, send carrier, flash and
leave the line momentarily. *If* (big if!) he can flash the hook in
the middle of a call to do *70, then what he has to do is when the
phone rings, take it off hook, pause about two seconds, flash the hook,
dial *70, get returned to the call in progress (yours) then tell the
modem ATA, that is, to go off hook in answer mode. Meanwhile, your modem
has been sitting there patiently waiting for an answer.

Now what if he is not home, or you want to do all this automatically?
Well ... he is going to need to write a string for the modem which
tells it to indeed answer, but not send carrier right away; to answer
but pause a couple seconds, do a switchhook flash, dial *70, pause a
couple seconds, then do ATA.

An alternative is if you can get your modem to stand by and not drop
carrier for an extended period of time. One of the S-registers can
probably be set to a very high value (like 255) which will cause your
modem to tolerate a very long loss of carrier for the few seconds he
is going to have you on hold. If that can be done, then he can answer
you normally and have his computer send you a little message saying
'please hold on' or something to that effect. His computer sends his
modem a string to get its attention *while not getting the attention
of your modem in the process*, flash, dial *70, do ATO or whatever to
return to the connection in progress.

Now and again people ask here how to make call waiting and modems
compatible. The simple answer is you cannot. Yes, there are various
ways to gerry-rig the whole thing with limited success. Better though,
that you both bite the bullet and go with the accepted rule of thumb
in data communications:  *a dedicated line for the modem*, with no
custom calling features on that line, except maybe Caller-ID if you
see a need for it, or perhaps speed dialing, etc.   PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #466
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #467

TELECOM Digest     Thu, 22 Dec 94 00:32:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 467

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    CFP: IJCAI'95 Workshop on Executable Temporal Logics (Mehmet Orgun)
    Britain-Japan Fiber Cable (Wm. Randolph Franklin)
    List of MTAs (Bob Keller)
    Standard Voice Recording/Sheila Andersen? (Stephen Tihor)
    Telephone Tariffs for 1995 California (David Bower)
    Long Dial Tone Holds [Was DMS-100 vs 5ESS] (Paul Robinson)
    Re: Roaming Wierdity (John Smith)
    Re: 500 Number Assignments, Listed by Company (Bob Goudreau)
    Re: 500 Number Assignments, Listed by Company (David W. Tamkin)
    Re: Does NYC Have GSM Service? (Kimmo Ketolainen)
    Re: Does NYC Have GSM Service? ([e-mail])
    Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service (Ry Jones)
    Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service (Robert F. Jones)
    Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service (Christopher Osburn)
    Re: Christmas Greetings From AT&T (Paul Robinson)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers.
A suggested annual donation of twenty dollars per reader covers the cost
of Digest production.  Write and tell us how you qualify:

                 * [e-mail] *

The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
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should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 22 Dec 94 10:20:02 +1100
From: [e-mail] (Mehmet Orgun)
Subject: CFP: IJCAI'95 Workshop on Executable Temporal Logics


        CALL FOR PAPERS AND PARTICIPATION
         Workshop on Executable Temporal Logics
        to be held as part of IJCAI-95
              Montreal, Canada.
                19th, 20th or 21st August 1995

INTRODUCTION

The direct execution of logical statements, through languages such as
Prolog, has been influential within both Computer Science and
Artificial Intelligence. Such languages have been used not only for
applications such as the animation of logical specifications, the
characterisation of database queries and knowledge representation, but
also as high-level programming languages in their own right. In recent
years, however, the requirement for greater expressive power has meant
that languages based on first-order logic have been found wanting. In
particular, since the concept of time is important in an increasingly
wide range of applications, including the representation of
time-dependent data and the specification and verification of
concurrent and distributed systems, logics where temporal notions are
central are beginning to be applied in these areas.

Not surprisingly, executable forms of these temporal logics have been
proposed in order to provide system developers with access to more
appropriate logical techniques. Just as the development of sophisticated
theorem-proving techniques for first-order logic led to executable
forms, such as Prolog, so theorem-proving techniques for temporal
logics are being used in the development of executable forms of these
logics. However, each particular executable temporal logic combines
not only a logical perspective, but also an operational model, drawn
from its intended application areas. Thus a wide range of languages
have appeared, exhibiting a variety of characteristics and execution
mechanisms. Consequently, these languages have a wide range of
application areas, including temporal databases, temporal planning,
animation of temporal specifications, hardware simulation, and
distributed AI.

WORKSHOP AIMS

The aim of this workshop is to provide a forum both for the exchange
of ideas and for the identification of the potential roles and nature
of the emerging paradigm of Executable Temporal Logics. Our aim is
that the workshop will bring together workers in this area, toidentify
common ground, differing approaches, experiences, applications, open
problems and possible future developments. In particular, we wish to
encourage cross-fertilisation between different approaches.

WORKSHOP FORMAT

This workshop will build upon the success of the 1993 Workshop on
Executable Modal and Temporal Logics that we organised as part of
IJCAI-93, the proceedings of which are published by Springer-Verlag in
the Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence series (vol. 897). The
workshop will last for one day, and will consist of presented papers,
group discussions and invited talks. We intend that the workshop will
cover topics ranging from considerations of the state of the art,
through to speculation on future developments. We will therefore
solicit papers describing work in this area, including original ideas,
new results, comparative studies and applications of Executable
Temporal Logics.

AREAS OF INTEREST

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to,

       * theoretical issues in executable temporal logics
       * design of executable temporal logics
       * relationship between execution and temporal theorem-proving
       * operational models and implementation techniques
       * programming support and environments
       * comparative studies of languages
       * relationship of executable temporal logics to
         (temporal) databases
       * applications and case studies

WORKSHOP PARTICIPATION

To encourage informal interaction and the exchange of ideas, attendance
will be limited to approximately 30 invited participants.  Those
wishing to attend are encouraged to submit either:

(a) an extended abstract (of no more than 5000 words) describing
    relevant preliminary or completed work to be presented at the
    workshop, or,

(b) single page descriptions of research interests and current work,
    to be used to demonstrate the ability of the non-presenting
    participants to contribute to the discussions.

Selected participants will be asked to provide complete papers to be
distributed as preprints to the workshop participants.

SUBMISSION DETAILS

All submissions should include: author's name(s), affiliation,
(complete) mailing address, phone and fax number, e-mail address and
an abstract of not more than 300 words. Electronic submission is
strongly encouraged (either as self-contained LaTeX, or postscript)
and this, or five (5) copies of submitted papers should be sent, by
March 1st 1995, to:

       Michael Fisher
       Department of Computing
       Manchester Metropolitan University
       Chester Street
       Manchester  M1 5GD
       United Kingdom

       Email:     [e-mail]
       Telephone: [phone]
       Fax:       [phone]

Papers will be refereed and notification of acceptance will be given
by April 1st. Authors of accepted papers will be given the opportunity
to revise their papers prior to the production of the workshop notes
(due May 1st).

Important Dates:

   Submissions received by:        March 1st, 1995
   Author notification by:         April 1st, 1995
   Revised papers due:               May 1st, 1995

Copies of accepted papers will be provided as a pre-proceedings at the
workshop itself.

Information about the workshop, together with abstracts of accepted
papers, will be available via the WWW page:

      http://www.doc.mmu.ac.uk/RESEARCH/extol95.html


PUBLICATION

The 1993 IJCAI Workshop on Executable Modal and Temporal Logics is
published by Springer-Verlag as a volume in the Lecture Notes in
Artificial Intelligence series. Our intention is to again publish
polished versions of papers from the workshop proceedings. Selected
papers may also be considered for publication in a special issue of
either the Journal of Logic and Computation or the Journal of Applied
Non-Classical Logics.


WORKSHOP PROGRAMME COMMITTEE

Michael Fisher [Organiser]
(details as above)

Marianne Baudinet
Universite Libre de Bruxelles
Informatique, C.P. 165
50 Avenue F.D. Roosevelt
1050 Brussels, Belgium
Email: [e-mail]

Christoph Brzoska
SFB 314
University of Karlsruhe
P.O.Box 69 80
D - 76128 Karlsruhe 1, Germany
Email: [e-mail]

Shinji Kono
Sony Computer Science Laboratory, Inc.
Japan
Email: [e-mail]

Ben Moszkowski
Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
University of Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne  NE1 7RU, U.K.
Email: [e-mail]

Mehmet Orgun
Department of Computing
Macquarie University
Sydney  NSW 2109, Australia
Email: [e-mail]

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

N.B., All workshop participants will be required to register for the
      main conference.

NO ATTENDANCE TO A WORKSHOP WILL BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT REGISTRATION TO IJCAI.

Information about IJCAI-95 can be accessed via the IJCAI home page:

    http://ijcai.org/

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

From: [e-mail] (Wm. Randolph U Franklin)
Subject: Britain-Japan Fiber Cable
Date: 22 Dec 1994 00:53:11 GMT
Organization: ECSE Dept, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12180 USA
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Wm. Randolph U Franklin)


AT&T will build a cable from Britain to Japan for $1.2G.  It'll be
17,000 miles long, 5Gbps, and carry 320,000 "voice and other messages".
That looks like only 16Kbps per circuit (which looks low).  The
current longest cable is a 9,000 mile one from France to Singapore,
completed a year ago.

Fun math: That works out to a capital cost per circuit of only $3750.
Assume that a phone call from Britain to Japan costs $2/minute.  If
all 320,000 channels were in continuous use, then the cable would be
paid for in the first 31 hours.

Alternatively, if we assumed that the cable is good for ten years,
or 100,000 hours, then amortizing the capital cost would be three
cents per hour, or $5e-4/minute.  This is a factor of 4,000 less
than the price of the call.

Now, I know that current cables cost a lot more, there are maintenance
and operating costs, there is the cost of connecting the call from the
subscriber to the cable, the load factor is under 100%, etc, etc.

But still, a factor of 4000, wow!!!


Wm. Randolph Franklin,  [e-mail], [phone];  Fax: -6261
ECSE Dept., 6026 JEC, Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst, Troy NY, 12180 USA
More info: (1) finger -l [e-mail] (2) http://www.ecse.rpi.edu/wrf.html


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Listen, the telephone company business has
always been one where if you get in at the right time under the right
conditions you can become a millionare in very short order. Just as in
the late nineteenth century when AT&T was first starting to rake in
literal **itloads of money, as we approach the next century and next
millenium there are some people really raking it in on the newer tech-
nologies as well. People don't lay cables such as you describe without
a great deal of thought and calculation ... and dollar signs in their
eyes as they pencil it out.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail]
Date: 21 DEC 94 15:58:00 GMT
Subject: List of MTAs


The following is an abbreviated list to assist you in reviewing the
round-by-round auction bidding reports.

 M001  New York             M002  Los Angeles-San Diego
 M003  Chicago             M004  San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose
 M005  Detroit             M006  Charlotte-Greensboro-Greenville-Raleigh
 M007  Dallas-Fort Worth     M008  Boston-Providence
 M009  Philadelphia         M010  Washington-Baltimore
 M011  Atlanta             M012  Minneapolis-St. Paul
 M013  Tampa-St, Petersburg-Orlando
 M014  Houston             M015  Miami-Fort Lauderdale
 M016  Cleveland         M017  New Orleans-Baton Rouge
 M018  Cincinnati-Dayton     M019  St. Louis
 M020  Milwaukee         M021  Pittsburgh
 M022  Denver             M023  Richmond-Norfolk
 M024  Seattle (Excluding Alaska)M025  Puerto Rico-U.S. Virgin Islands
 M026  Louisville-Lexington-Evansville
 M027  Phoenix             M028  Memphis-Jackson
 M029  Birmingham         M030  Portland
 M031  Indianapolis         M032  Des Moines-Quad Cities
 M033  San Antonio         M034  Kansas City
 M035  Buffalo-Rochester     M036  Salt Lake City
 M037  Jacksonville         M038  Columbus
 M039  El Paso-Albuquerque     M040  Little Rock
 M041  Oklahoma City         M042  Spokane-Billings
 M043  Nashville         M044  Knoxville
 M045  Omaha             M046  Wichita
 M047  Honolulu             M048  Tulsa
 M049  Alaska             M050  Guam-Northern Mariana Islands
 M051  American Samoa             ----  -----------

For a detailed tabulation of the specific counties making up each PCS
Region, MTA and BTA and each cellular MSA/RSA (with 1990/1980 population
data) get the file:

        ftp::/ftp.clark.net/pub/rjk/pcs_mkts.txt.Z

The same data is also available online as filename "PCSMKT.ZIP" in the
following locations:

        CompuServe (GO BPFORUM) Library 9
        CompuServe (GO TELECOM) Library 9
        OverNET (FCC Documents Conference)

Enjoy!


Bob Keller (KY3R)   Robert J. Keller, P.C.   Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]   Telecommunications Law   Fax: [phone]
<ftp://ftp.clark.net/pub/rjk/>      <finger [e-mail]>

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

Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 18:17:12 EDT
From: Stephen Tihor <[e-mail]>
Subject: Standard Voice Recording/Sheila Andersen?


I am trying to find in the archives the reference to the woman who did
various of the standard voice recordings.  I recall reading the
article some time back but am having little luck finding it in the
archives.  Can anyone supply a pointer.  The name "Shiela Andersen"
probably misspelled was suggest to me by someone but I want ot check
the archives for the Straight Dope. :)

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

Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 14:25:15 -0800
From: [e-mail] (David Bower)
Subject: Telephone Tariffs for 1995 California


Dear Patrick,

Where might I find a listing of the new tariffs that will be effective
1995?  Is there a California PUC Web site?

How come in the vast amount of data avaliable on the net ... well -
you know what I mean.


Thanks,

Dave    [e-mail]

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

Date: Thu, 22 Dec 1994 00:02:40 EST
Subject: Long Dial Tone Holds [Was DMS-100 vs 5ESS]
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>


Harvey Grosser <[e-mail]>, writes:

> I don't subscribe to any features, but I can dial *67 (call privacy
> toggle), and start dialing the number without waiting for the stutter
> to stop.

> I tried dialing 1-510-*67 with the following results:

> a) Instead of a stutter d.t., there's a pause, a click, and then a dial
>    tone. I have to wait before dialing.
[deleted]
> c) I dialed 1-510-*67 three times in a row; the first two times it
>   worked as described above; the third time it locked up my phone line

Here in Montgomery County, MD, dialing 1 301 *67 just gets silence as the
switch waits for more digits.

Dialing *67 at the start of a call returns stutter dial tone.  I tried
dialing *67 one time after another; I dialed it more than 30 times in
a row and still kept getting dial tone back from the switch each of
the 30 times.  You do not have to wait for the stutter to stop either.

The switch here will supply dial tone for 17 seconds (I just timed it)
before timing out.  Dialing *67 15 seconds into that dial tone breaks
it, and starts a fresh dial tone.

I just tried it.  Dialing *67 every 10 to 12 seconds, I held a phone
off hook for 90 seconds, and probably could have done it all day long;
every time I dialed *67 I got a new dial tone and the switch apparently
forgot about all the *other* dial tones it had given me on the same off-
hook period.

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

From: [e-mail] (John Smith)
Subject: Re: Roaming Wierdity
Date: 21 Dec 1994 21:41:19 GMT
Organization: Prodigy Services Company  1-800-PRODIGY


It is probably not your phone. Border areas between carriers are
always tricky since radio waves don't necessarily stop at the border.
The difficulty you described sounds like it could be related to GTE's
follow- me-roaming since it seems to occur shortly after returning to
your own system after having been in or been detected by the GTE system.

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

Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 15:48:37 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Bob Goudreau)
Subject: Re: 500 Number Assignments, Listed by Company


[e-mail] (Kronos) write:

> This obscure small company serves the following rural areas of North
> Carolina:

> 803-236  EAST CONWAY (HORRY CO), NC
> 803-293  LAKEWOOD, NC
>  (etc.)

This I rather doubt, since North Carolina contains neither a Horry
County nor NPA 803.  I think you must mean *South* Carolina.


Bob Goudreau            Data General Corporation
[e-mail]        62 Alexander Drive
[phone]            Research Triangle Park, NC  27709, USA


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Now I am confused also. In fairness to
bkron, his original message said 'rural areas of South Carolina'; but
the listing of places all had 'NC' as the state abbreviation. I assumed
he was wrong once rather than many times repeatedly, and carelessly
changed the 'South' to 'North' in the start of the message without
any further checking, assuming it then would match all the 'NC' items
in his list. So the full spelling 'North' instead of 'South' in the
beginning is my fault, not his; but all  the references to 'NC' in the
message are his, not mine!  I hope this is clear as mud!  Should all
those places have been 'SC'?  Apparently so. Shame on both of us.   PAT]

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

Date: Wed, 21 Dec 94 21:18 CST
From: [e-mail] (David W. Tamkin)
Subject: Re: 500 Number Assignments, Listed by Company
Organization: World-Wide Access, Chicago, Illinois  60630-0305


[e-mail] wrote in <[e-mail]> in
comp.dcom.telecom:

> This obscure small company serves the following rural areas of North
> Carolina:

> 803-236  EAST CONWAY (HORRY CO), NC
> 803-293  LAKEWOOD, NC
> 803-340  EAST CONWAY (HORRY CO), NC
> 803-347  EAST CONWAY, NC
> 803-349  EAST CONWAY, NC
> 803-357  MURRELLS INLET, NC
> 803-358  AYNOR, NC
> 803-365  NORTH CONWAY, NC
> 803-392  FLOYDS, NC
> 803-397  SOUTH CONWAY, NC
> 803-399  WAMPEE, NC
> 803-650  COLLINS CREEK, NC
> 803-651  MURRELLS INLET, NC
> 803-756  LORIS, NC
> 803-071  NORTH CONWAY, NC
> 803-215  COLLINS CREEK, NC
> 500-535  SPECIAL ACCESS SERVICES

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Did you mean '071' in the case of North
> Conway shown above?   PAT]

Additionally, area code 803 is in *South* Carolina.  So are Horry
County and the listed towns I could find on the maps I own (such as
Aynor and Loris and Murrells Inlet and Wampee; there is a Conway there
as well, but I don't see North or South or East Conway).


David W. Tamkin  Box 3284  Skokie, Illinois  60076-6284
[e-mail]    MCI Mail: 426-1818   [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Kimmo Ketolainen)
Subject: Re: Does NYC Have GSM Service?
Organization: Turun yliopisto - University of Turku, Finland
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 20:17:13 GMT


JJ Fai <[e-mail]> wrote:

> We recently moved from Paris, France to New York, taking oureGSM phone
> with us. Now we are wondering whether GSM service exists here, and if
> so, from whom, at what rates, etc.
> All assistance will be deeply appreciated.

As far as I know, no GSM network service exists at the moment between
Brazil and Alaska, and no service is planned in USA or Canada.
Argentina is getting the first GSM network in America.

The latest countries with GSM service include Lebanon, Israel, Uganda
a= nd Cameroon. The Lebanese network operator Libancell plans to make
the coverage very extensive due to the close non-existent regular
telephone service.

I suppose you have to get rid of your phone -- perhaps a magazine such
as Which Cellular (correct?) could be of best help. Or, even uk.telecom.

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

From: Hassan <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Does NYC Have GSM Service?
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 16:42:58 -0500
Organization: Express Access Online Communications, USA


In US we don't have GSM service, there is only US AMPS.  For more
information you can call NYNEX, your local and cellular service
provider in New York area.


Hassan

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

From: [e-mail] (Ry Jones)
Subject: Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service
Date: 22 Dec 1994 02:48:17 GMT
Organization: NW NEXUS, Inc. -- Internet Made Easy [phone]


Well, Pat, the population center of Seattle/Tacoma/Everett is in the
middle of the state ... the rest of the state goes to 360, we stay 206.
It's almost circular.

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

From: Robert F. Jones <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 94 13:43:00 -0800
Subject: Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service


In comp.dcom.telecom article <[e-mail]> TELECOM Digest
Editor noted:

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: It works from 312/708 also as of
> the past couple days. But if you look at a map of the coverage
> area, it seems to be rather odd how this area code is placed
> with some in the extreme north part of Washington and some in
> the extreme south ... any ideas who decides where to put things
> like this?   PAT]

Area code 206 is now like the Chicago (312/708) situation.  360 will
surround 206.  Once 360 takes effect, 206 will become the Seattle,
Tacoma, and possibly Everett (and surrounding areas) with the rest of
what was 206 becoming 360.  At least that's my understanding.


[e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Except here, 312 is not *completely*
surrounded by 708. Some of 312 borders on 219, where the city of
Chicago hits the Indiana state line at Hammond, Indiana (although that
section of Hammond is served by the Whiting, Indiana 219-659 office.)
In addition, 708 is also completely surrounded by 312. How can both
conditions apply you ask?  Good question ... there are two villages
which sit inside Chicago, completely surrounded by Chicago on all
sides which are not politically part of Chicago. They are in 708. So
708 actually is in two (or is it three, David Tampkin can answer this)
disconnected parts. Consider a doughnut, with 708 as the hole in the
center, then the outer part being 312 and beyond that all 708 again,
or mostly.  But it does not really look like a doughnut; the
disconnected part of 708 sits up on the northwest side of Chicago,
about the 10-11 oclock position on a circle.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Christopher Osburn)
Subject: Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service
Organization: Eskimo North (206) For-Ever
Date: Wed, 21 Dec 1994 20:59:29 GMT


> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: It works from 312/708 also as of
> the past couple days. But if you look at a map of the coverage
> area, it seems to be rather odd how this area code is placed
> with some in the extreme north part of Washington and some in
> the extreme south ... any ideas who decides where to put things
> like this?   PAT]

Your friendly local carrier, of course, to-wit pnb (dba US West.)

The theory here is a) the Seattle area is growing fastest so let's
make as small an area as possible around it to give it lots of new
prefixes, and b) don't change the customer's dialing habits if at all
possible (i.e. if you didn't need an area code before, you still
won't.)

The new 206 area looks like a collection of overlapping free calling
areas.  They drew the line where a toll call was unavoidable.

(At least in theory.  I'd be interested in hearing from people at the
edges of the new 206/360 line to find out if yesterday's free call is
tomorrows toll call, or vice versa.)


Chris Osburn, [e-mail]
Seattle, Washington, USA
ICBM: 47 42 58 N  122 16 41 W

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

Date: Thu, 22 Dec 1994 00:36:39 EST
Subject: Re: Christmas Greetings From AT&T
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>


Jhupf <[e-mail]>, writes:

> My son got a Christmas card from Ray Drake.  Ray's return address
> is 295 Maple Avenue, Basking Ridge, NJ 07920!  Hey isn't that the
> same address as AT&T Corporate Hq???? It sure is ... I don't know who
> Ray is and neither does my son -- but he sent him a a nice gift for
> Christmas, a check for $40!

[Deleted]

> Ray Drake in his generosity has decided to give him 40 bucks for
> Christmas -- hold on there are strings seems when the kid cashed the
> check he changed _MY_ LD carrier from MCI to AT&T!  I call to get this
> put right and I find out that I'm stuck with AT&T for SIX MONTHS
> They told me it's legal,

I suspect otherwise.  There are legal precedents for holding the owner
of a telephone instrument liable for calls made over it, but I have
long doubts that a person can be held liable for a third party's
contract when the third party is not their agent.

First, my assumptions: (1) the son is not the subscriber of the
telephone this check supposedly allows switching to be made; (2) the
subscriber didn't cash the check; (3) the son is above legal age; (4)
the son has neither agency authority nor power of attorney to contract
on behalf of the subscriber.

The carrier sent the son a check.  As long as the son cashed it, and
the son is not the subscriber who is the responsible party for the
telephone, the carrier has not obtained a contract with the subscriber
and thus the subscriber is under no obligation to be responsible for
that contract.  This is not an issue of where one of the parties is an
agent of the other or there is a responsibility at law to be
responsible for same; the son is not the subscriber of the instrument,
absent some form of agency for the subscriber or effect of power of
attorney, he cannot contractually bind the subscriber to a contract
for this service.

I have a credit card from Mobil, which no other person is responsible
for.  If I buy gasoline for a rental car and don't pay for it, the
fact that Mobil's gas is in Hertz' rental car does not make Hertz
liable for my failure to pay for the gasoline.  Nor does it make my
mother who lives at the same address as myself responsible for my
failure to pay for the gasoline either even though she is the primary
holder of the American Express card (that I am secondary cardholder)
with which I used to rent the car.  American Express could come after
her if I don't pay that bill, but Mobil cannot.

Nor does my mother's use of the telephone that I am subscriber of to
order something on the Discover card issued to her make me liable if
she doesn't pay it.

Patrick Townson replies:

> Try reading the fine print on the back side of the check Ray Drake
> sent your son. I think it says you agree to have AT&T as your carrier.
> Sorry, you lose, and happy holidays to you and your family and
> especially that son of yours.

Try again Pat.  First it's hard to read a check someone else already
cashed.  Second, unless there is some grounds to declare the son the
agent of the subscriber, the son's signature on the check does not
bind the subscriber to a contract.  AT&T may have grounds to sue the
son since he did not have the authority to contract, but since he's
judgement proof, probably won't bother.  Whether there is grounds for
AT&T to prosecute the son for fraud is another matter.  (That's one
way to possibly get him out of your house!)  But it does not have a
binding contract with the subscriber.

I would recommend to the father that he call his local telephone
company and tell them to switch service back to MCI; don't even
mention this check to the son; assuming anyone even notices, if AT&T
complains, ask for a copy of the signed order from the subscriber.
The son is not the subscriber and has no authority to change the
service.  It is not your position to prove you didn't authorize it,
it's theirs to prove they have an authorization from someone who can
issue the authorization.

Or just ignore the whole thing and dial 10222 to get MCI before every
call, which is what I used to do when I wanted to use AT&T on the line
I had switched to MCI in order to get the free bag from them; I dialed
10288 to get AT&T before calls, or I just use the other line which is
still on AT&T.  I figure last year I did maybe $15 worth of long
distance calls on all long distance companies combined; to date I've
probably received about $60 in checks and $80 in merchandise from MCI.
Not bad.  I'm just wondering why AT&T and Sprint aren't so interested
in giving me money. :)

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #467
******************************


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Date: Fri, 23 Dec 94 10:58:44 CST
From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #468

TELECOM Digest     Fri, 23 Dec 94 10:58:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 468

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Watching the Area Codes Split (Steve Grandi)
    Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service (David W. Tamkin)
    Re: New NPA For Bahamas (Jose Bello)
    NANP Changes (Joe Bergstein)
    Re: Disabling Call Waiting (Hendrik Rood)
    '500' Numbers Finally Available (Todd Hauser)
    A New Slogan For Bell Atlantic (Paul Robinson)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers.
Suggested subscription price is a twenty dollar annual donation per reader.
Write and tell us how you qualify:

                 * [e-mail] *

The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
or phone at:
                    9457-D Niles Center Road
                     Skokie, IL USA   60076
                       Phone: [phone]
                        Fax: [phone]
  ** Article submission address only: [e-mail] **

Our archives are located at lcs.mit.edu and are available by using
anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email
information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to
use the information service, just ask.

*************************************************************************
*   TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the              *
* International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland    *
* under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES)   *
* project.  Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-*
* ing views of the ITU.                                                 *
*************************************************************************

Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such
as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help
is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per
reader each year is a big help in keeping the Digest going.

All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 22 Dec 1994 14:23:58 -0700
From: [e-mail] (Steve Grandi)
Subject: Watching the Area Codes Split


One of the great spectator sports of 1995 will be watching lots and lots
of new Area Codes (or more precisely, NPA codes) come into existence.

 From postings on the net and from one article in {Network World}, I
have compiled the following chronology of Area Code splits and
overlays.  Additions and corrections would be very welcome!

    Date       Event

1)  1/7/95     AC 630 overlayed on ACs 312 and 708 (Chicago metro area)
2)  1/15/95    AC 334 splits from AC 205 (Alabama)
3)  1/15/95    AC 360 splits from AC 206 (Washington)
4)  3/??/95    AC 562 overlayed on ACs 213, 310 and 818 (Los Angeles metro)
5)  3/1/95     AC 281 overlayed on AC 713 (Houston metro area)
6)  3/19/95    AC 520 splits from AC 602 (Arizona)
7)  4/2/95     AC 970 splits from AC 303 (Denver metro area)
8)  5/28/95    AC 941 splits from AC 813 (Florida)
9)  7/15/95    AC 540 splits from AC 703 (Virginia)
10) 9/1/95     AC 423 splits from AC 615 (Tennessee)
11) 10/??/95   AC 770 splits from or overlayed on AC 404 (Atlanta metro area)
12) 10/1/95    AC 441 splits from AC 809 (Bermuda & Bahamas)
13) 10/??/96   AC 803 splits from AC 203 (Connecticut)
14) ??/??/??   AC 954 splits from AC 305 (Florida)

Notes:

1) Wireless services (cellular phones and pagers)

2) 334 will contain Auburn, Dothan, Mobile, Montgomery and Selma
   205 will retain Anniston, Birmingham, Decatur, Huntsville and Tuscaloosa
   Permissive period ends 3/13/95

3) 360 will contain Bellingham, Olympia, Vancouver
   206 will retain Auburn, Bellevue, Bremerton, Everett, Redmond, Seattle,
       Tacoma
   Permissive period ends 7/9/95

4) First numbers assigned in AC 562 will be wireless services in the area
       served by AC 310.  Landline services in AC 310 and wireless and
       landline services in AC 213 and 818 will follow.

5) First numbers assigned in AC 281 will be wireless services.  Landline
       services will be assigned in AC 281 later.

6) 520 will contain Flagstaff, Prescott, Sierra Vista, Tucson, Yuma
   602 will retain Buckeye, Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale,
       Tempe
   Permissive period ends 7/23/95

7) 970 will contain Aspen, Durango, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, Greely,
       Loveland, Steamboat Springs, Vail
   303 will retain Arvada, Aurora, Boulder, Denver, Englewood, Littleton,
       Longmont
   Permissive period ends 10/1/95

8) 941 will contain Bradenton, Fort Meyers, Lakeland, Sarasota, Winter Haven
   813 will retain Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Tampa
   Permissive period ends 3/3/96

9) 540 will contain Blacksburg, Roanoke, Salem, Winchester
   703 will retain Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, Mclean
   Permissive period ends 7/9/95

10) 423 will contain Chattanooga, Clarksville, Johnson City, Kingsport,
       Knoxville
    615 will retain Murfreesboro, Nashville
    Permissive period ends 2/1/96

11)  AC 770 will either be an overlay on AC 404 or a geographical split

12) {Network World} says Bermuda will get AC 441 starting 10/1/95; David Esan
    reports that Bahamas will get AC 441

13) {Network World} says that Connecticut will split in October 1996.

14) {Network World} says that SE Florida will split on an unknown date.


Steve Grandi, National Optical Astronomy Observatories, Tucson, Arizona USA
Internet: [e-mail]  [phone] (after 1 Apr 95: [phone])


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I suggest our areacode historian Carl Moore
is going to have his hands full during the next year updating his history
file and keeping all this correct. :)  And I think we are seeing just the
start of the flood of new codes.  PAT]

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

Date: Thu, 22 Dec 94 21:59 CST
From: [e-mail] (David W. Tamkin)
Subject: Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service
Organization: World-Wide Access, Chicago, Illinois  60630-0305


Robert F. Jones wrote:

> Area code 206 is now like the Chicago (312/708) situation.  360 will
> surround 206.  Once 360 takes effect, 206 will become the Seattle,
> Tacoma, and possibly Everett (and surrounding areas) with the rest of
> what was 206 becoming 360.  At least that's my understanding.

TELECOM Digest Editor noted in response:

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Except here, 312 is not *completely*
> surrounded by 708. Some of 312 borders on 219, where the city of
> Chicago hits the Indiana state line at Hammond, Indiana (although that
> section of Hammond is served by the Whiting, Indiana 219-659 office.)

312 also borders on Lake Michigan, which is not part of 708 either.

> In addition, 708 is also completely surrounded by 312. How can both
> conditions apply you ask?  Good question ... there are two villages
> which sit inside Chicago, completely surrounded by Chicago on all
> sides which are not politically part of Chicago. They are in 708. So
> 708 actually is in two (or is it three, David Tampkin can answer this)
> disconnected parts. Consider a doughnut, with 708 as the hole in the
> center, then the outer part being 312 and beyond that all 708 again,
> or mostly.  But it does not really look like a doughnut; the
> disconnected part of 708 sits up on the northwest side of Chicago,
> about the 10-11 oclock position on a circle.   PAT]

David Tampkin doesn't know from beans, but David Tamkin can answer it.

There are four geographical holes in the city of Chicago.  One is
entirely in 708; one is mostly in 708 with a corner in 312; the other
two are in 312.  708 is in three discrete pieces, and 502 is in two.
I don't know of any other cases where (even if one flies or sails) one
cannot get between parts of one NPA without crossing another.  [If one
sticks to roadways, it is impossible to get between O'Hare Airport and
the rest of 312 without crossing through 708.]

For a case where one area code completely surrounds another, consider
Atlanta or Houston, but consider Houston soon.

As for Seattle, I don't know; if places like Port Townsend and Oak
Harbor will be in 360, then 360 will 360 around 206 the way 706 does
around 404 or, for now, 409 does around 713.


David W. Tamkin  Box 3284  Skokie, Illinois  60076-6284
[e-mail]    MCI Mail: 426-1818   [phone]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: While David is correct that Lake Michigan
'is not part of 708', the telephones which are in the lake are part of
312. There are not many out there; but there are a few. For example, for
many years the city water intake station, which is about two and a half
miles out into the lake off 68th Street (in fact it is called the '68th
Street Crib') had a 312-493 phone number. The north side facility, which
even has a 'street address' mind you! (1000 East Ohio Street; way, way
out in the water!) also has a 312 number.   I know, picky, picky!   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jose Bello)
Subject: Re: New NPA For Bahamas
Date: 23 Dec 1994 07:10:24 GMT
Organization: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill


In article <[e-mail]>, David Esan <[e-mail]>
wrote:

> According to a tariff source the Bahamas have requested and received a
> new NPA, 441.  If I could find the article I could give you the effective
> date. Sorry.

10/1/95 is the effective date, permissive through 9/30/96.

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

From: [e-mail] (Joe Bergstein)
Date: 22 Dec 94 22:28:46 -0500
Subject: NANP Changes
Organization: Fidonet


I thought the NANP changes weren't going into effect until 7/1/95.
Now I hear that CPE vendors are harrasing small customers with
outrages upgrade prices to support NANP changes as of 1/1/95.  My
understanding was that changes were permissive (both old and new A/C
OK) until 7/1/95, at which point they would become mandatory.  Is this
correct?  If not, please update.


Thank you.


Fidonet:  Joe Bergstein 1:109/544.501@fidonet
Internet: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Hendrik Rood)
Subject: Re: Disabling Call Waiting
Date: 23 Dec 1994 02:34:15 GMT
Organization: Hendrik's Humble Home Hero


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Jim
Santos) says:

> I have a hypothetical question.  If I have call waiting, I can prefix
> my call with *70 to cancel call waiting for my phone for the duration
> of the call.  If I want to call a friend who also has call waiting
> using my modem so that his modem will pick up, is there some way to
> disable call waiting for both parties so that the modems will not be
> interrupted?

No, disabling is only possible before originating the call.  The
reason is simple.  When you receive a call the exchange does not
connect you first to a Digital Signalling Processor Card which is
normally used to detect tones for digit reception. Such a connection
is necessary for dissabling the feature.

The only method to solve this problem is to use a separate signalling
channel. This is the reason why ISDN has the "outside" D-channel.

So, buy ISDN when you want to have both.


Hendrik Rood


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Maybe where you live that's the only
possible solution, but I know for a fact that here in the USA in many
places, including Chicago, if you can flash and get a dial tone in
the middle of a call (normally, to set up a three-way call) you can
use that dial tone to enter *70. It will return the stutter tone for
a couple seconds then drop back into the call that was in progress,
with call waiting suspended for the duration, the same as if you had
entered it in the beginning. The trick is, if the recipient of the
call wants to do that from the very beginning, he has to go off hook
long enough to establish the connection, flash, enter *70 and get back
to the call in a timely way without having first allowed his modem to
answer (or at least not sending tones to the other modem).    PAT]

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

Date: Thu, 22 Dec 1994 17:04:26 EST
From: The Toddster <[e-mail]>
Subject: '500' Numbers Finally Available


We just finished ordering my new '500' number (500-DOS-BOOT).

The FCC approved the tariff late Monday, December 19, 1994.

For those who pre-reserved their numbers, service will be available
starting January 19, 1995.  If you order your number after the 19th,
it will take 30 days from the placement of the order for service to be
available.

Some interesting tidbits (if order placed before 4/30/95):
  - $10 installation fee is waived
  - $25 vanity number fee is waived
  - monthly charge is only $1 regardless of package (until 5/1/95)

The packages which are available are (fees are monthly):
 (a) $1.00
     Calls will ring only your home phone number (non-programmable)
     4 reverse billing PINs are available
 (b) $3.00
     Calls will ring only your home phone number (non-programmable)
     19 reverse billing PINs are available
 (c) $3.00
     Calls will ring any single phone (programmable)
     19 reverse billing PINs are available
 (d) $5.00
     Calls will ring any single phone number (programmable)
     By calling 0+ w/master PIN, calls can be placed (via AT&T)
       at 25c/min (day) and 15c/min (eve/night)
 (e) $7.00
     Calls will ring any 3 phone numbers in sequence (programmable)
     By calling 0+ w/master PIN, calls can be placed (via AT&T)
       at 25c/min (day) and 15c/min (eve/night)

Hopefully, the local phone companies will reprogram their switches to
allow dialing of 1 + 500 and 0 + 500 calls.  If they do not, it is my
assumption that calls can still be made via +1.800.CALL.ATT (though
this is PURELY speculation).

        For more information, call AT&T at +1.800.870.9222


Todd Michael Hauser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [e-mail]
Digex Applications Programmer . . . . . http://www.access.digex.net/~todd
+1.500.DOS.BOOT (effective 1/22/95) . . . . . +1.800.SKY.PAGE pin 8374745

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

Date: Thu, 22 Dec 1994 21:14:15 -0500 (EST)
Subject: A New Slogan For Bell Atlantic?
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA


I have finally decided upon a new slogan for Bell Atlantic of
Maryland:

"The Complicated we do immediately; the easy stuff, we screw up."

My realization of this came to me tonight when a surveyor from Bell
Atlantic Called me.  In thinking about the service levels I've gotten
from them has lead me to a conclusion:

If I ask for something state of the art, or complicated, or anything
requiring an onsite visit, they do the job right, the first time.

The easy, the mundane, the simple, is consistently done wrong.

I hate to say it, but when I had service with GTE of California, even
they weren't this bad.

My story begins two years ago with my order for two additional phone
lines to add to the two I have; that incident, and the excellent
response from the Bell Atlantic installer, which was documented here
in an article entitled "Touch tone is no charge".  I ended up with a
brand new, six pair cable to carry the four pairs that terminate in my
house.  When I stopped needing the fourth pair, I had them terminate
service on it.  This was the last time anything simple was done right.

Two months later, a relative moved in with us, and he needed that
extra pair.  I asked for it to be turned on in his name, with his
permission, and the bill for that line goes to him.  They put the line
and dialtone for our main number on his circuit, and put his new
number on our main line.  Which meant when I dialed the number it just
rang, because I hadn't installed the phone for his line yet.  The two
circuits had to be swapped at the demarc because all the house wiring
ran there.

Then I decided to change my service from three unlimited lines to
something less expensive, since we didn't make all that many calls.
Someone suggested I could simply put all three lines on one bill, and
thus aggregate all the call units so that for each line I get 65 calls
a month, which meant until the total calls on all three lines combined
reached 195 local calls, I wouldn't have to pay any call charges.  And
this would reduce my phone bill by about $30 a month.  Fine; I do
that, and pay a charge to change the service over.  This was easy, so
it was dangerous.

Later, in doing some checking on my service, I am informed by a clerk
at the phone company that it doesn't work that way, that for each
phone line you are only allowed 65 calls a month, and the units do not
aggregate, meaning 1 call on one line, zero on the second and 66 calls
on another mean that the line with 66 calls has used an extra call
count for which it is charged, even though one line has 65 and the
other line has 64 unused call units, and even though they are all on
the same bill to the same person at the same address.

I asked for a copy of the tariff schedule, and after reading it, I
came to the conclusion that that's what it says, stupid as that
sounds.

Well, that won't work; I wanted the extra call counts because of the
number of modem calls I make, which is more than 65 a month.  Not
giving me the extra call units means I'm wasting units I'm paying for
but will never use. so we figure out how to fix the problem.  I'll
change two of my lines to metered service -- no call units at all --
and have unlimited service on the one that my computer uses; not a
good solution, but better than what I'd end up with.  So one of the
lines gets billed to my mother and the other comes billed to me
separately.

Later I am informed the other clerk was wrong, and that way I had it
the first time was right, and in fact the way the service was set up
with metered service in a place with any other service is a tariff
violation since only if a house has a single phone line can it have
metered service.  In fact, their computer had been kicking my bills
out because of the tariff violation, and refusing to accept the change
order, now two and a half months old.  So it gets fixed back the way I
originally wanted it, e.g. 3 lines, 65 calls each, and the call counts
are added together so until these lines make a total of 195 calls,
there is no call charge.

They back billed me to bring the bills up to date, and it was figured
out that based on what I should have been charged, and removing the
erroneous charge for change in service request, that I overpaid the
bill by $80.  So far, so good.

Fast forward to last month, when I decided to try Enhanced Caller ID
which debuted here December 1.  It didn't work, so they sent a
technician out -- which I didn't even ask them to do -- and we
discovered that enhanced caller ID is not compatible with equipment
(such as my modem) that handles the old-style caller ID, so they not
only had no trouble removing the service, they even cancelled the
charge for the order.  Complicated, so no trouble.

I finally decided to have my business operate from a "real" phone
instead of a voice mail service, so I decided to simply change one of
my residential phone lines to commercial service; it's essentially a
wash, since a commercial phone line costs $20 a month, while measured
residential service is about $10 a month per line, plus the $10 a
month for voice mail service.  My 800 number can be moved with no
trouble.

So I call Bell Atlantic.  All they need to do is change a line from
residential billing to commercial billing.  The clerk had no trouble
telling me about the $45 switchover charge and the new rate.  This is
not the main line the number is billed to, and it's not the line that
my virtual phone number which I use for all of my personal calls comes
in on.

Come the next day, I discover that my phone has been disconnected.
Not "temporarily disconnected" which would mean that I misplaced a
payment, or they did, but that it was "disconnected" which meant it
was turned off.

I call repair service to discover that the virtual number --
Identa-ring is their service mark -- which I have had since I had
service started here when I moved in some three years ago, does not
belong to this address, but to someone else at a different address.

Turns out when I asked them to change one of my lines from residential
to commercial service, they also disconnected the identa-ring number
on the other line.  And apparently their computer has the listing of
the prior owner of the line rather than me.  I fix that, and they
agree to turn it back on.

At my house there would be no way for me to know directly that the
identa-ring number was disconnected, because it's not the main number
on that circuit, thus the line still has dial tone, and if someone
calls the main number, it would still ring.  So I used another line to
call the identa-ring number on Saturday, to discover it's still
disconnected.

I call 611 to tell them; the clerk three-ways me with the business
office which surprisingly is still open Saturday; yes, they did put in
an order to restore the service, here is the order number; repair
didn't have it on their computer, but when she went several menus down
on her screen, she found it.

Since fixing that apparently was complicated, that got done in four hours;
they called me back to check.

Tonight I got a call from a survey person for Bell Atlantic and I told
her that as far as placing the order they did fine; for giving me the
correct rates they were outstanding.  For putting the order into
practice they rate at least one or two settings below whatever the
lowest scale they have is.  I told her to take these four words, "They
botched the order".

I explained to her, how hard is it for a clerk to change a billing
order on an account from residential to commercial, e.g. it is five
minutes placing a request on a screen, for which I am charged $45 plus
line charge surcharge.  I got better service for the same cost when a
technician came out here and went beyond the call of duty in doing an
excellent job reinstalling four phone lines and using a six-pair cable
and a five-pair gas fuse box, installed in my basement, plus even giving
me an extra 50 feet of wire so I could finish the installation in my
upstairs room without having to pay for the extra installation.

She asked me if I'd like to have a supervisor call me, and I said that
would be all right.  I'm going to give him or her a piece of my mind, too.

Next time I need phone service changes, I think I'll order an ISDN BRI
or a T1, or a microwave link, then that way the job will be done
right.  :) Fortunately, we already have call waiting and three way on
our main home number, I shudder to think what would happen if I needed
to order them.  (Actually, we don't use them much, and I've tried
twice to have them disconnected, but I'm afraid to request the change;
I'd probably find my lines disconnected, or discover that I now had
Foreign Exchange service from West Virginia.)  :)

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #468
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #469

TELECOM Digest     Sat, 24 Dec 94 21:48:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 469

Inside This Issue:                           Merry Christmas to All!

    MFS Intelenet Applies to Provide Local Phone Service in Ohio (Nigel Allen)
    Research on PCS (Prakash Hariramani)
    "Co-locating" in NJ? (Michael E. Flaster)
    GSM vs. AMPS vs. Other World Standards (Shawn Gordhamer)
    Re: Nationwide Roaming (Alex Cena)
    Rate Hike For Universal TouchTone? (Mike Pelletier)
    Two-Line Caller ID Phone Needed (Sandy Kyrish)
    Northern Telecom Vs. Aspect (Rakeesh Mishra)
    Re: Watching the Area Codes Split/NANP Changes (Eric Paulak)
    Re: Watching the Area Codes Split (Bob Goudreau)
    Re: Watching the Area Codes Split (Carl Moore)
    Re: Watching the Area Codes Split (Jeffrey William McKeough)
    Re: Watching the Area Codes Split (Neal McLain)
    Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service (Ry Jones)
    Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service (Carl Moore)
    NYNEX Ringmate and Modems (Andy Butts)
    Re: What is a T1 Line? (L.S. Ng)
    Re: Rochester Telephone's Open Market Plan (Don Wegeng)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
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----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sat, 24 Dec 1994 04:45:37 -0500
Subject: MFS Intelenet Applies to Provide Local Phone Service in Ohio
From: [e-mail] (Nigel Allen)
Organization: 52 Manchester Avenue, Toronto M6G 1V3


Ameritech's Ohio operations may face competition in the local exchange
carrier business.

MFS Intelenet, Inc., a unit of MFS Communications Company, Inc., has
applied to the Public Utility Commission of Ohio for a license to
provide the full range of basic local exchange services in the service
territories of Ameritech and Cincinnati Bell, including the Columbus,
Cleveland and Cincinnati metropolitan areas, according to an MFS press
release.

The press release says that MFS intends to provide local and long
distance service to medium and small business customers, but doesn't
say anything about residential customers. My guess is that the only
way MFS would be interested in residential customers is if the company
could sign a deal with an entire large apartment complex in a
high-income area.

This will provoke the usual arguments about "cream-skimming" (that is,
that MFS is interested only in serving the most profitable customers),
particularly since the application deals only with the service areas
of Ameritech and Cincinnati Bell, which presumably serve the most
telecommunications-intensive parts of Ohio. I don't know much about
the independent (non-Bell) telephone companies in Ohio, but I presume
that they serve rural and suburban areas that don't offer the same
potential returns that the Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati
metropolitan areas do.

For more information, journalists are invited to contact Josh Howell
or Claire Dunnett of MFS Communications at [phone]. Investors
can contact Gary Brandt at [phone].

Incidentally, I found out about this from PR Newswire's Stocks On-Call
fax-on-demand service, which people in the U.S. and Canada can reach
by calling 1-800-578-7888.


Nigel Allen, Toronto, Ontario, Canada     [e-mail]

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

From: Prakash Hariramani <[e-mail]>
Subject: Research on PCS
Date: Sat, 24 Dec 1994 14:52:36 -0500
Organization: Information Networking Institute, Carnegie Mellon Pittsburgh, PA


As many of you may be aware, the FCC is currently conducting broadband
PCS auctions.  I'm looking for sources on the following on PCS:

    Potential market size
    Detailed projections on the following:
        penetration, churn, average rev/subscriber,
        operating cash flow margins, capital expenditures/subscriber
    Market share
        % of total market share
        % share grabbed from Local Exchange Carriers,
        % share grabbed from cellular,
    Technology
        TDMA, CDMA ??
    Valuations of PCS companies
        On a per pop basis
        On a multiple of operating cash flow (after they start producing
        positive cash flow)

Based on my research so far, I have found some answers, but I would
like to investigate as many sources as possible.  I would appreciate
it if any of you could suggest good sources for research on the above.


Thank you.

Prakash Hariramani    E-mail: [e-mail]
Information Networking Institute
Carnegie-Mellon University
5000 Forbes Avenue   Pittsburgh, PA 15213

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

From: [e-mail] (Michael E Flaster)
Subject: "Co-Locating" in NJ?
Date: 24 Dec 1994 20:01:15 GMT
Organization: MIT Artificial Intelligence Lab


A friend of mine is trying to set up a telecommunication business in
NJ.  He's going to need a bunch of T1's.  On a brochure from Sprint,
it says that monthly fees range from $350 - $3,000 per T1, depending
on how rural your location is...  (Quite a range!)  But then they go
on to say 'Drop "wire" through floor if "co-located" (same
building/complex)' -- for $300/month.  What is co-locating?  Can he
demand space in a Sprint facility?  In a NJ Bell facility?  Is this
some kind of federal or state right?  Who does he contact to set this
up?  I assume he'd also have to pay for office space?


Thanks!

Mike

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

From: [e-mail] (Shawn Gordhamer)
Subject: GSM vs. AMPS vs. Other World Standards
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Sat, 24 Dec 1994 13:28:33 GMT


I'd like to know the advantages/disadvantages of the various world
standards for cellular telephones.  How does our US AMPS stack up
against other standards?

If anyone knows the history, it would be interesting to know why
various countries adopted differing standards.  Also, with digital, is
the world coming together on one common standard for cellular?


Shawn Gordhamer    [e-mail]

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

Date: Sat, 24 Dec 94 08:34:18 EST
From: Alex Cena <[e-mail]>
Subject: Nationwide Roaming


[e-mail] (Jeffrey Rhodes) writes:

>> Can someone help me with the differences between IS-41 protocol used
>> by cellular networks in the U.S. and MAP used by GSM?  Are they
>> compatible so an existing cellular carrier who purchases a PCS license
>> and builds a DCS1900 offer nationwide roaming between cellular and
>> PCS?  i.e. I have a cellular license in Chicago and a PCS license in
>> New York -- can my subscriber in New York roam on my network in Chicago.

> The short answer is no.

> Did you convince any mobile terminal manufacturers to build 1.9Gig GSM
> transceivers with a selector for 800Meg IS-41 AMPS/TDMA transceivers?

> McCaw Cellular One is trialing international roaming: an American can
> take a smart card to Europe and use GSM smart card terminals to bill
> their home cellular number, but that's different than using the same
> device in GSM and IS41.

Many existing cellular carriers are bidding on PCS spectrum as a
fill-in or expansion strategy.  Thus, I'm interested in learning how
they plan to offer nationwide roaming to customers in markets where
they have spectrum in the PCS band.  So let's say I'm PCS Primeco
(NYNEX, Bell Atlantic, AirTouch and US West) and I win the PCS license
in Chicago, can my Chicago PCS subscriber roam in my cellular markets?

Are the air interface standard under consideration for PCS namely
Upbanded versions of IS-54C, IS-95 and GSM compatible with IS-41?  Do
they have to be inorder to offer nationwide roaming?  How widely
deployed is IS-41 in the U.S.?  Since AMPS is the most widely deployed
technology in the U.S., I'm assuming that initially the most practical
solution is a dual-mode PCS/AMPS handset just like some carriers are
offering dual-mode TDMA/AMPS today and others plan dual mode CDMA/AMPS
soon.


Regards,

Alex M. Cena, [e-mail]

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

From: Mike Pelletier <[e-mail]>
Subject: Rate Hike For Universal TouchTone? (was: Ameritech Entering LD..)
Date: 24 Dec 1994 15:05:36 -0500
Organization: Msen, Inc. -- Ann Arbor, MI (account info: [phone])


In article <[e-mail]>, Julie Johnson <[e-mail]>
wrote:

> I heard on the radio recently that Ameritech is awaiting approval
> (today?) to enter the LD market. Can anyone enlighten me??

On a tangentially related note, Ameritech just sent around a note to
its subscribers saying that they're planning on converting everyone to
touch-tone capable phone service, which currently costs a few bucks
extra per month, and cutting current touch-tone subscribers bills by
$2/mo, and raising non-touch-tone subscribers bills by $2/mo.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't it cost them less money to
support 100% touch tone in today's telecom environment?  Is this just
a ploy to line their pockets from their captive market?


Mike Pelletier

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

Date: Sat, 24 Dec 94 16:27 EST
From: Sandy Kyrish <[e-mail]>
Subject: Two-Line Caller ID Phone Needed


This is harder than I thought!
Here's what I need:

  two line phone
  two line answering machine
  speakerphone
  Caller ID capability on line two
  cordless (this is not ABSOLUTELY necessary but...)

How to get all this for less than $668, which is the cost of a Tropex
two-line cordless and at AT&T ans machine/spkrphone.

Also: any feedback on the $399 Tropez? Worth it?  Reply to list or to
[e-mail].


Thanks in advance,

Sandy Kyrish

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Northern Telecom Vs. Aspect
Date: 24 Dec 1994 08:07:51 GMT
Organization: NovX InterServ News Service


My company is in the process of designing a comprehesive Phone
architecture which will include state of the art ACD/PBX etc
integrated with an IVR and CIT systems. We are currently evaluating
Northern Telecom and Aspect phone systems to be part of this solution.

I would be interested in listing from you, your past experience with
these two systems and your comments on their capabilities and
flexibility which they will provide us. We are looking for a decent
architecture which should be able to expand and meet company's
expanding and varied needs for the next five years.


Thanks,


Rakesh

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

Date: Sat, 24 Dec 1994 13:41:23 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Eric Paulak)
Subject: Re: Watching the Area Codes Split/NANP Changes


In response the the NPA split list, here are some more current dates:

305/954 -- Florida -- March 1, 1995
809/441 -- Bermuda -- Oct. 1, 1995
310/562 -- Calif. -- Sept. 2, 1995
404/770 -- Georgia -- 4Q, 1995
203/860 -- Conn. -- Oct. 1995

> I thought the NANP changes weren't going into effect until 7/1/95.
> Now I hear that CPE vendors are harrasing small customers with
> outrages upgrade prices to support NANP changes as of 1/1/95.  My
> understanding was that changes were permissive (both old and new A/C
> OK) until 7/1/95, at which point they would become mandatory.  Is this
> correct?  If not, please update.

Not so,

334 in Alabama is mandatory on 5-13-95
360 in Washington is mandatory on 5-21-95

The other spilts are mandatory after that time.

If someone is interested in getting a complete list of the new area codes
the list of exchanges, drop me a line for give me a call.


Eric Paulak
The Center for Communications Management Information
the largest provider of rate and tariff information
in North America and publisher of specialty telecom
newsletters and on-line services
[phone], ext. 327
11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 1100, Rockville, MD 20852

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

Date: Sat, 24 Dec 1994 14:01:10 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Bob Goudreau)
Subject: Re: Watching the Area Codes Split


[e-mail] (Steve Grandi) writes:

> 13) 10/??/96   AC 803 splits from AC 203 (Connecticut)

Surely this must be a typo, since NPA 803 is already assigned to South
Carolina.  Any idea what the new CT code will be, and which part of
the state it will cover?


Bob Goudreau        Data General Corporation
[e-mail]    62 Alexander Drive
[phone]        Research Triangle Park, NC  27709, USA

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

Date: Sat, 24 Dec 94 19:01:29 GMT
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Watching the Area Codes Split


You mention a split coming in Connecticut.  But you show 803 as the
new area code.  That is South Carolina.  Please correct.

You show 540 area code (Virginia) being fully cut over 7/9/95.  That
is before the effective date!  Please correct.

Also, there has been mention in the Digest of area code 340 for Puerto
Rico, now in area 809.

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

Date: Sat, 24 Dec 1994 15:14:15 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Jeffrey William McKeough)
Subject: Re: Watching the Area Codes Split
Organization: Beet Cabal: More So Than Thou!


While sharing with the group, Steve Grandi contributed:

> 13) 10/??/96   AC 803 splits from AC 203 (Connecticut)
                    ^^^
For obvious reasons, this must be a typo.  According to my Aunt at
SNET RCMAC, the new NPA is 890.


Jeffrey William McKeough  [e-mail]

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

Date: Sat, 24 Dec 94 02:10 CDT
From: Neal McLain <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Watching the Area Codes Split


A policy question about area code splits ... perhaps someone from
Bellcore can provide an answer.

I note that when 615 splits, Nashville metro area will retain 615, and
Knoxville and Chattanooga will move to 423.

My question: given that all three cities are centers of rapidly-growing
metro areas, why not a three-way split:

     Nashville retains 615.

     Knoxville gets 423.

     Chattanooga gets something else.

Presumably, this would prevent having to split 423 in the future, with
the anomalous result that one city would have its area code changed
*three times* (including the original 901/615 split back in the 50's).

This question obviously applies to any similar situation, not just Tennessee.

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

From: [e-mail] (Ry Jones)
Subject: Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service
Date: 24 Dec 1994 03:35:56 GMT
Organization: NW NEXUS, Inc. -- Internet Made Easy [phone]


David W. Tamkin ([e-mail]) wrote:

> As for Seattle, I don't know; if places like Port Townsend and Oak
> Harbor will be in 360, then 360 will 360 around 206 the way 706 does
> around 404 or, for now, 409 does around 713.

206 will consist of King county, parts of Snohomish and Pierce
counties, and that's it. Consider the Houston model. Or think of an
overlay. 360 will 360 206 ... bah. Someone grab the V&H from the
Bellcore tape and post it.


[e-mail] net.viking 507915.21E 5209567.01N UTM ZONE 10 OG+GOT

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

Date: Sat, 24 Dec 94 15:16:43 GMT
From: Carl Moore <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service


[e-mail] writes:

> (At least in theory.  I'd be interested in hearing from people at the
> edges of the new 206/360 line to find out if yesterday's free call is
> tomorrow's toll call, or vice versa.)

Calling areas, message unit charge, and tolls should not be affected
by a split.  But the method of making some calls will change.

There are local calls across the 301/410 border (Md.) and 215/610
border in Pa., and the area code is used for this where just the seven
digit number was used before.

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

From: [e-mail] (Andy Butts)
Subject: NYNEX Ringmate and Modems
Organization: The Dorsai Embassy - New York
Date: Sat, 24 Dec 1994 17:44:00 GMT


Hey All!

I know somebody out there is familiar with the NYNEX ringmate service.
Well, whoever you are, I wanted to know something about it.  If I
subscribe so that I have one extra number (in addition to my normal
number) what will a modem on my telephone line detect when someone
calls the Ringmate number?  Will it be RING, or something like RING
RING?  Any help is appreciated.


RaNdOm

[e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Your modem probably won't know the
difference. The current surge will most likely be sufficient to
trigger the modem into its normal answering mode (or whatever you
do when you get an incoming call). Some variations on the normal
ringing cadence may not be sufficiently long enough to trigger the
modem to answer on the same ring each time, i.e. maybe the phone
will ring twice or three times before the modem is sufficiently
juiced up to answer on what it regards as one ring, etc.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (L S Ng)
Subject: Re: What is a T1 Line?
Date: 24 Dec 1994 12:22:49 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway


Edward F. Munro writes:

> If T1 is 24 X 64K on 4 wires, and ISDN is 2 X 64K, then why do you only get
> 4 X 64K when you use 2 ISDN links?  Is there a way to get 2 ISDN lines and
> set yourself up with T1 bandwidth?!?

I thought T1 has now been repackaged by the telephone companies as
ISDN Primary Access or Primary Rate ISDN (PRI), consisting of up to 24
B channels (1.5Mbps) in North America or 30 B channels (2Mbps) in 'the
rest of the world'.

Originally T1 or Primary Access were used only within the telephone
networks (from one local exchange/central office (CO) to another), but
now it seems that, by packaging it as PRI, such rate now runs from CO
to customers premises (your office/home). Each T1 link is essentially
either a copper pair or an coaxial cable. The reason why T1 can run at
1.5Mbps plus whereas your ordinary telephone line can run only at
30kbps is because of a low pass filter! Low pass filters are inserted
at the end of the ordinary telephone lines for two reasons: to improve
speech quality and (more importantly) to limit your modem speed!

Has anyone ever used/seen a PRI? The above is just a guess because I
have not seen/used one. PRI/T1 are, I heard, usually run over 2 copper
pairs (4 wires). This means that your ordinary telephone line should
at least be able to run at 1 Mbps per pair. And ISDN Basic Rate (BRI)
runs at 192kbps. The telephone company wants you to pay different
prices for services over the same old pair of copper wire.

It is possible to achieve 2Mbps over four wires, but you need to ask
for the telephone companies' "courtesy" to remove the low pass
filter and the 'relatively ancient' ISDN switches (192kbps).

2Mbps is the limit of working in full duplex mode.  In some
applications such as video/TV, it is possible to pump more than 6Mbps
down the copper wires.  This technique is known as ADSL (Asymmetrical
Digital Subscriber Loop) and it is half duplex.  British Telecom was
blocked by Bristish Government last month from using this technology
for broadcasting TV over the old copper telephone networks to home.
The technology is ready but the bureaucrats are not.

Copper wires are more or less similar to 'dark fibre'.  Dark fibre is
a piece of optical fibre whose bandwidth and channel capacity are
enormous (almost infinite) and it is hoped that telephone companies
will give you the fibre but not limiting the customers in terms of
channel capacity or bit rate that they can use, hence the name 'dark'.
But only hope.  The fastest electronics switches could only run at
Giga bits per second.  With SONET or ATM, the telephone companies is
planning to give you 150Mbps or 600Mbps only.

Remember also your Ethernet also run over the same old copper pair at
10Mbps.  The practical limit for single copper coaxial is more than
100Mbps.  In fact, it is recommended that ATM may use copper coaxial
for the 150Mbps.

So remember this: when you ask for ATM from your telephone company,
make sure you get an optical fibre. Or they would give you a copper
coax for 150Mbps and ask for more money when you need to 'upgrade' it
to 600Mbps.  It is not possible to use copper coax at 600Mbps which is
why you need a piece of cheap glass wire, otherwise known as the
optical fibre by the telephone companies who want to glamorised their
product names.


L S Ng

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

Date: Sat, 24 Dec 1994 10:55:48 PST
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Rochester Telephone's Open Market Plan


As a current customer of Rochester Telephone, I`m really curious about
*what* advanced services are going to be offered by the various
service providers.  Movies on demand is perhaps one option (Roch Tel
is experimenting with this in a limited way now).  Another option
might be a low cost Internet connection.  What else?  Roch Tel sure
isn`t talking.

As for alternative phone service using the fiber network owned by
Greater Rochester Cablevision/Time Warner, I`m skeptical about the
level of service that these folks are capable of providing.  At the
moment I`m very annoyed at them because they refuse to install cable
tv service at my new (to me) house unless I`m at home.  This house
already has cable service, so "installation" really means having the
technician climb the poll and make sure that the appropriate traps are
installed on the line so that I can`t watch free HBO.  When I asked
why I had to be home, the GRC rep said that they have to come into my
house and make sure that everything is working, so that they won`t
have to come out a second time if there is an installation problem.

This tells me that GRC must have a lot of problems with their cable
system; or at least a lot more problems than Rochester Telephone has
with their system (based on the fact that Roch Tel didn`t require me
to be home when they turned on my phone service).  If GRC`s cable tv
system is that unreliable, why should I trust them to provide reliable
telephone service using the same wires?


Don Wegeng   [e-mail]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #469
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #470

TELECOM Digest     Mon, 26 Dec 94 11:16:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 470

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    610 Area Code Update (Phillip Dampier)
    Newbridge Channel Bank (Michael Tague)
    Germany: Massive Phone Charge Fraud (Juergen Ziegler)
    AMPS Specifications For Data (Russell R. Wolff)
    Flexible Hunt Groups With PBX? (Robert Macfarlane)
    Re: NYNEX Ringmate and Modems (Ken Levitt)
    Re: NYNEX Ringmate and Modems (Mike Morris)
    Re: What is a T1 Line? (Ed Goldgehn)
    Re: What is a T1 Line? (Joseph H. Allen)
    Re: T1 + Ethernet -> Fiber (Alan Boritz)
    Re: Disabling Call Waiting (Robert F. Holloman)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual
readers. Write and tell us how you qualify:

                 * [e-mail] *

The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
or phone at:
                    9457-D Niles Center Road
                     Skokie, IL USA   60076
                       Phone: [phone]
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  ** Article submission address only: [e-mail] **

Our archives are located at lcs.mit.edu and are available by using
anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email
information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to
use the information service, just ask.

*************************************************************************
*   TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the              *
* International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland    *
* under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES)   *
* project.  Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-*
* ing views of the ITU.                                                 *
*************************************************************************

Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such
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All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Phillip Dampier)
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 1994 11:22:08
Subject: 610 Area Code Update


               A HOLIDAY REMINDER FROM BELL ATLANTIC

PHILADELPHIA, PA -- As you ring in the New Year and make your
resolutions for 1995, remember that southeastern Pennsylvania now has
two area codes.  Beginning January 7, 1995, customers will have to
dial the correct area code to complete their calls.

The new 610 area code has been assigned to customers who live in
Chester, Delaware, and Northampton counties; most of Lehigh and Berks
counties; and portions of Montgomery, Bucks, Lancaster, Monroe and
Carbon counties.

The 215 area code will continue to serve all of Philadelphia, most of
Bucks County and a portion of Montgomery County.

Many customers are aware of the change already as Bell Atlantic
launched a major public awareness campaign in January of 1994.  Some
of these efforts throughout the year included bill inserts and letters
to residence and business customers, signs on bus panels, subways and
large billboards.  A mobile kiosk unit traveled the five- county area
and distributed the new area code information to shoppers at major
malls.  Presentations were made to Lions, Rotary clubs and senior
citizen groups.

In the spirit of the New Year, Bell Atlantic has a few resolutions of
its own regarding the addition of the new area code:

* There will be no increase in rates to call between Area Codes 215
  and 610.

* There will be no change in your local calling area.

* There will be no change in making local calls within an area code--
  dial the seven-digit phone number.

* There will be no change in making long distance calls--dial 1 + area
  code + seven-digit telephone number.

To help ease the transition into the new 610 area code and ensure the
safety and security of its customers, Bell Atlantic makes the
following recommendations:

1) Check with your burglar alarm company now to make sure necessary
   changes have been made to your automatic dialing equipment.

2) Tell your friends, relatives and business associates about the new
   610 area code.

3) Before January 7, 1995, be sure to make changes in your speed
   dialing and other lists used to manage your calls.

4) Make changes to fax machine lists for telephone numbers now in the
   new Area Code 610.

5) Change the area code on your checks, stationery, business cards,
   and other printed materials, advertising and vehicle signs.

6) Check with equipment vendors regarding possible changes to PBX or
   Centrex systems, computer modems, cellular and other mobile phones
   and customer-provided coin telephone service.

PLEASE REMEMBER!  Starting January 7, 1995, you must dial 1, plus an
area code whenever calling between 215 and 610 or your call will not
be completed.

Questions about the new area code can be directed to Bell Atlantic's
We Can Help Center at 1-800-555-5000, Monday through Friday, from 8:00
a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Bell Atlantic Corporation, based in Philadelphia, is the parent of
companies which provide a full array of local exchange telecom-
munications services in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland,
Virginia, West Virginia, and Washington, D.C.  The corporation is at
the forefront of developing a variety of new products, including
video, entertainment, and information services.

Bell Atlantic also is the parent of one of the nation's largest
cellular carriers and has an ownership position in cellular properties
internationally, including a 42 percent economic interest in Grupo
Iusacell, Mexico's largest independent cellular company.  In addition,
Bell Atlantic owns an interest in Telecom Corporation of New Zealand
and is the parent of companies that provide business systems services
for customer-based information technology throughout the U.S. and
internationally.

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

Reply-To: [e-mail] (Michael Tague)
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 1994 00:28:11
Subject: Newbridge Channel Bank
From: [e-mail] (Michael Tague)


Could someone suggest a good -- inexpensive -- place to get a
Newbridge channel bank.  Also, where is the Newbridge company located
(or phone number)?

Does anyone have any thoughts about the most cost effective channel
bank to get -- for voice use.


Thanks,

Michael Tague   [e-mail]

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

Subject: Germany: Massive Phone Charge Fraud
Date: Sun, 25 Dec 1994 18:43:09 +0100
From: [e-mail] (Juergen Ziegler)
Reply-To: [e-mail]


There is mounting evidence that a large number of TELEKOM (the German
monopoly telephone network operator) employees are involved in a major
phone charge fraud. It is estimated that the total damage could be
around 500 Mio. DEM (approx. $300 million!). So far there have been
61 suspects involved in the incident. And several of them are already
arrested on massive fraud charges. There were also a large number of
search and arrest warrants issued to capture further evidence. Some of
them are already behind bars.

Even more, the TELEKOM CEO Helmut Ricke has announced his resignation
this week. There seems to be no direct link with the recent incidents.
January 1, 1995 is a major date for TELEKOM, because by that date
TELEKOM will have the legal status of a private company. At this time
TELEKOM is part of the German Ministry of Postes and Telecommunications.


But what happened?

In most European countries overseas telephone operators(*) offer
"information services". You just dial a foreign telephone number.  The
foreign network operator will collect charges from TELEKOM for those
inbound calls from Germany. A fraction of those charges will then be
transferred to those "information providers". Most of those providers
offer so called "sexlines". In fact those "sexlines" just replay
prerecorded garbage ...

The fraud happened when TELEKOM employees initiated such calls from
unused subscriber lines. So they just called such a number, and
TELEKOM would then pay the inbound charges to the foreign operator.
But as a result of this fraud, TELEKOM would not get any charges, as
those lines were not used by any paying customer. But there seems to
be other evidence, that used subscriber lines were used for such fraud
schemes. The employees in charge, would then disconnect the subscriber
line at nighttime, so that calls to such numbers would not be detected
as most customers will not use their phones by night time.  Other
fraud schemes could involve the change of switching software.

After all, this seems to be a major incident.

As a result of this incident, German politicians understand the need
to provide all TELEKOM customers a free detailed phone bill, which
will give them a clearer picture of their phone charges. So far German
TELEKOM customers have to pay an extra charge for such a detailed
listing of all calls.

(*) the countries involved are Australia, Hong Kong, Netherland Antilles,
    and others ...

BTW, there seems to be coverage of this incident in some major US newspapers.


Juergen Ziegler * Obervogt-Haefelinstr. 48 * 77815 Buehl (Baden) * Germany
[e-mail] [e-mail] Fax[phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (WOLFF_RUSSELL_R)
Subject: AMPS Specifications For Data
Date: 25 Dec 1994 19:41:55 -0700
Organization: Idaho State University, Pocatello


I'm looking for information on data transmission in the AMPS cellular
system.  Any information you have, or any books you know of, on the
specifics of the way the data control channels in the AMPS system
operate would help me very much.

Some of the specifics I'm looking for are:

What are the control codes used on the forward and reverse channels?
what, exactly, are the SAT (supervisory Audio Tone) and the ST (Signalling
tone) used for?

Aside from this, I'd love to get any and all data possible on hte AMPS
cellular system.


Thank you,

[e-mail]

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

From: Robert Macfarlane <[e-mail]>
Subject: Flexible Hunt Groups With PBX?
Date: 26 Dec 1994 16:08:52 GMT
Organization: MixNet Organization


Hi folks,

I know very little about phones, so I have a question for those of you
who do:

A businessperson friend of mine runs a BBS out of an office which has
14 voice lines on a hunt group. He has so far installed an additional
eight lines on another hunt group dedicated to the BBS.

Here's my question: are there PBX's which would allow re-allocation of
lines from one hunt group to another, at different times of the day?

My idea is to move some of the 14 voice lines from the voice hunt
group to the modem hunt group from 6 pm to 6 am, since this is peak
time for BBSing.  The voice lines are otherwise sitting there completely
unused during the night.  And there's really no need to have more than
eight lines to the BBS during the day.

Are there PBX's which can do this sort of thing, or am I just fantasizing?


Thanks for any advice!

Robert Macfarlane

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

Date: Sun, 25 Dec 94 15:36:02 EST
From: [e-mail] (Ken Levitt)
Subject: Re: NYNEX Ringmate and Modems


In TELECOM Digest V14-469 [e-mail] (Andy Butts) writes:

> I know somebody out there is familiar with the NYNEX ringmate service.
> If I subscribe so that I have one extra number (in addition to my normal
> number) what will a modem on my telephone line detect when someone
> calls the Ringmate number?  Will it be RING, or something like RING
> RING?  Any help is appreciated.

Your ring on your primary number will be aprox two seconds on, four
seconds off.

The second line ring is 0.8 on, 0.4 off, 0.8 on, 4.0 off.

If you want the modem to only answer one of the numbers, you have two choices:

  1.  Get a modem like a ZyXEL where you can tell the modem to answer only
      on specific ring patterns.

  2.  Buy a device to put on the phone line (about $60-$90) to listen to
      the ring pattern and only pass a specific ring pattern on to the
      modem.


Ken Levitt - On FidoNet gateway node 1:16/390     UUCP: zorro9!levitt
INTERNET: [e-mail] or [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Mike Morris)
Subject: Re: NYNEX Ringmate and Modems
Organization: College Park Software, Altadena, CA
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 1994 02:28:20 GMT


I remember seeing in comp.dcom.modems that at least one brand has
firmware to handle caller ID and ringmate.  The strings that are sent
to the computer give the information And the modem can be told what
cadence (or cadences -- i.e. what phone number(s) to respond to.

I've called Pac Bell several times and asked when I can get ringmate/
<pick your choice of other names> and they tell me they have no idea.
I tell them what it is and they say that the system can't do it.  I
tell them that it has been available all over the country for over a
year and they are speechless.  Is there any other "magic words" I can
use to enlighten them?  If it helps any I'm northeast of downtown L.A.
by about 12 miles, in the 818-447 exchange.


Mike Morris   WA6ILQ   PO Box 1130   Arcadia, CA. 91077
ICBM: 34.12N, 118.02W  | Reply to: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Ed Goldgehn)
Subject: Re: What is a T1 Line?
Date: 26 Dec 1994 02:08:49 GMT
Organization: The INTERNET Connection, LLC


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] says:

> I thought T1 has now been repackaged by the telephone companies as
> ISDN Primary Access or Primary Rate ISDN (PRI), consisting of up to 24
> B channels (1.5Mbps) in North America or 30 B channels (2Mbps) in 'the
> rest of the world'.

NO! [Worthy of a repeat] NO!

ISDN PRI (23 B Channels and 1 D Channel) is carried to the customer on a
(D4) T-1.  But there is definitely NO repackaging.  I doubt there ever
will be because there is a very significant difference between a
channelized T-1 and dedicated unchannelized service!

> Originally T1 or Primary Access were used only within the telephone
> networks (from one local exchange/central office (CO) to another), but
> now it seems that, by packaging it as PRI, such rate now runs from CO
> to customers premises (your office/home). Each T1 link is essentially
> either a copper pair or an coaxial cable. The reason why T1 can run at
> 1.5Mbps plus whereas your ordinary telephone line can run only at
> 30kbps is because of a low pass filter! Low pass filters are inserted
> at the end of the ordinary telephone lines for two reasons: to improve
> speech quality and (more importantly) to limit your modem speed!

T-1's require TWO pair of copper.  ISDN (BRI) requires ONE pair of
Copper.  Since a Primary Rate (not Access) Interface rides on a T-1
(in the US) Carrier, TWO copper pairs are required. Your "ordinary"
telephone line can support 144 Kbps (BRI ISDN) - not just the 30 Kbps
that you might get from analog technology -- that was an apple and
orange comparison.

> Has anyone ever used/seen a PRI? The above is just a guess because I
> have not seen/used one. PRI/T1 are, I heard, usually run over 2 copper
> pairs (4 wires). This means that your ordinary telephone line should
> at least be able to run at 1 Mbps per pair. And ISDN Basic Rate (BRI)
> runs at 192kbps. The telephone company wants you to pay different
> prices for services over the same old pair of copper wire.

The ability to operate anything over copper is dependent on the
quantity of impedance loss.  You could get 150 Mbps to work over a
single pair of copper if it's only 6 ft long.  The process of
delivering bandwidth over any medium has more to do with how to
deliver the signal with minimal loss than anything else.  What the
telephone company wants you to pay for is the cost of maintaining a
quality and low loss signal to your home/office and the equipment it
takes to get it there.

To imply that the same or less equipment investment by the telco's is
required to deliver telephone (voice) grade service and high bandwidth
digital service over the same pair(s) of wires is not just ludicrous -
it displays a complete lack of understanding on the technology in
question and serves only to further confuse those that do not spend
their days and nights in the industry.

I would sincerely hope that you refrain from providing us with more
seemingly technical responses that have no basis in fact in order to
express your own opinions referecincing something you obviously know
considerably less about than you think.

My suggestion:  Read more - type less.


Ed Goldgehn

[I've never worked for a telephone company, so this response is not at all
biased by who pays my salary - just for the record].

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

From: [e-mail] (Joseph H Allen)
Subject: Re: What is a T1 Line?
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 1994 03:21:44 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, L S Ng <[e-mail]>
wrote:

> The reason why T1 can run at 1.5Mbps plus whereas your ordinary telephone
> line can run only at 30kbps is because of a low pass filter! Low pass
> filters are inserted at the end of the ordinary telephone lines for two
> reasons: to improve speech quality and (more importantly) to limit your
> modem speed!

I think there's more to it that that.  At 1.5Mbps (a signal needing
>3MHz bandwidth) the crosstalk should be pretty severe in a large
bundle of twisted pairs.  This would prevent you from giving T1s to
everyone.

> Has anyone ever used/seen a PRI? The above is just a guess because I
> have not seen/used one. PRI/T1 are, I heard, usually run over 2 copper
> pairs (4 wires). This means that your ordinary telephone line should
> at least be able to run at 1 Mbps per pair.

The loss at 1Mbps on both twisted pair and coaxial is pretty high.
This means you would need lots of repeaters.  I don't think with voice
that you need any repeaters between home and local office.  So at the
very least, they have to add lots of repeaters everywhere.

> 2Mbps is the limit of working in full duplex mode.  In some
> applications such as video/TV, it is possible to pump more than 6Mbps
> down the copper wires.  This technique is known as ADSL (Asymmetrical
> Digital Subscriber Loop) and it is half duplex.  British Telecom was
> blocked by Bristish Government last month from using this technology
> for broadcasting TV over the old copper telephone networks to home.
> The technology is ready but the bureaucrats are not.

I'd really like to see a detailed technical description of how this is
done.  Perhaps they transmit at a different carrier on each pair in
the bundle? I really don't see how else they would get rid of the
cross-talk.

[e-mail] (192.74.137.5)  Joseph H. Allen

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

Subject: Re: T1 + Ethernet -> Fiber
From: drharry![e-mail] (Alan Boritz)
Date: Mon, 26 Dec 94 07:00:25 EST
Organization: Harry's Place - Mahwah NJ - [phone]


Paul A. Lee </DD.ID=JES2CAOF.UEDCM09/@SMX.sprint.com> writes:

>> My company is upgrading both their computer system (my responsibility)
>> and their phone system (outside contractor).  In the process, we are
>> installing a cable between two sites.  Currently, this cable will contain
>> a fiber pair for linking two lans together and 75-pairs of copper for the
>> PBX.

>> The fiber costs $.45 per foot and the copper costs ~$1.10/foot.  The
>> distance is 3000 ft.

> First and foremost, consider the installation cost and plan for the
> future.  The cost of either fiber or copper is relatively small,
> compared to the cost of installing the cable. Installation costs can
> range from $4 per foot for shallow plow-in under turf to $30 or more
> per foot for a ducted installation under pavement.

I think you're missing much more important point.  Fiber facilities
cost much less to provide, but they're more difficult to maintain than
copper.  If you install it sloppy, like NY Tel, you can't even be
certain that some inadvertent local power loss (entirely beyond your,
and telco's, control) could shut you down completely.  If you don't
control all of the points on a fiber network (and provide uninterruptable
power for mux's and other critical equipment), you don't have much of
a network.  The last major power failure in lower Manhattan illustrated
that point very well, when NY Tel customers in the financial district
went without telephone service for days (even after their own office
electrical power was back on) because there was no power to run the
fiber facilities.

Compare the installed cost of fiber AND all of it's ancillary equipment
(that bring it's reliability up to that of copper facilities) and
you'll have a TRUE comparison of fiber vs. copper.


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

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

From: [e-mail] (Robert F. Holloman)
Subject: Re: Disabling Call Waiting
Date: 25 Dec 1994 19:24:04 GMT
Organization: Cybernetx, Inc.


> entered it in the beginning. The trick is, if the recipient of the
> call wants to do that from the very beginning, he has to go off hook
> long enough to establish the connection, flash, enter *70 and get back
> to the call in a timely way without having first allowed his modem to
> answer (or at least not sending tones to the other modem).    PAT]

I ran into this problem several years ago and have done quite a bit of
experimenting with it.  Here's my own little mini-faq that I post anytime
I see someone bring up this issue.

You should be able to disable Call Waiting on incoming calls by using
"ATDT!*70R|" (or a variation of this) in place of "ATA|".  This won't
work when the modem's auto-answer function is being used.  Also it
won't work if your phone system doesn't allow you to cancel CW while a
call is in progress.  Or you might have to have three-way conference
calling.  Works fine without three-way calling here on the Southern
Bell and the United Telephone exchanges I've tried it from.  All have
been DMS-100 switches.  In a few areas *70 (sometimes called "Call
Waiting Control") is an extra-cost feature you must order.

It works like this:

1) "AT" gets the modem's attention.

2) "D" tells them modem to go into originate mode, go off-hook, and be
   ready to dial.  (Caller's modem is waiting for answer tones.)
   Modem will also check for dialtone, if you have dialtone detection
   enabled (X2, X4, etc).  Since there is no dialtone in this
   situation, you must put "X3" in your init. string.  Or you could
   put it in this string after "AT" ("ATX3DT!*70R|").  (If you do the
   latter, you'd probably want to make your regular dial prefix
   "ATX4DT*70," or such.)  With some modems, such as Intels, dialtone
   detection can be overridden by changing "D" to "H1D," (or "DT" to
   "H1DT," - same difference).

3) "T" tells it to use tone dialing.  Needs to be "P" for pulse lines.

4) "!" flashes the line, which puts the caller on "hold" and gives a
   dialtone.  If your modem flashes too soon after going off hook
   (like the USR Sportster), put a "," before the "!".  If your modem
   dials too soon after flashing, it will be necessary to put a ","
   (or "W") behind the "!".

5) "*70" ("70#" in some areas, "1170" for pulse lines) cancels CW.  It
   should automatically switch back to the caller.  If it doesn't
   switch back, add a "!" behind the "*70".

6) "R" tells the modem to "reverse" to answer mode.  You may need a
   "," before the "R" to prevent truncation of answer tones.  Because
   "R" is meant to be used when calling originate-only modems (e.g.
   "ATDT555-1234R|"), some modems will listen for ringback, followed
   by a lack of ringback, before generating the answer tones.  Since
   there is no ringback in this situation, some of these modems will
   wait too long before trying to connect.  For these, change "R" to
   ";A".  If that doesn't work, change "R" to ";|~~~~~~~~~~~~ATA"
   instead.  The ";" along with the "|" (see #7 below) causes the
   modem to go into command mode after dialing.  Each "~" causes the
   comm program to pause for 1/2 second.  Twelve of them here causes
   the program to wait six seconds before sending "ATA" to the modem.
   Add more or less to optimize the command.  (Your program might use
   a different character and/or the pause might not be for the same
   duration.)

7) "|" is the same as pressing <ENTER>.  Leave out this character when
   entering command from terminal mode.  (Some comm programs use
   something different, such as "^M".)

"ATH1DT,!*70;A|" worked best when I had a 2400EX Intel.

"ATX3DT,!*70,X4R|" works best with my USR Sportster and phone system.
(The "X4" just turns back on dial tone detection.  I believe most
non-USR modems won't understand such a command occurring after the
"D"ial command.)

Please leave me a reply if you know of any more IF's I should add.

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #470
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
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To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #472

TELECOM Digest     Thu, 29 Dec 94 22:01:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 472

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: Britain-Japan Fiber Cable (Hendrik Rood)
    Re: Flexible Hunt Groups With PBX? (Hendrik Rood)
    Re: "Co-Locating" in NJ? (Steve Daggett)
    Re: AMPS Specifications For Data (Mickey Henniger)
    Re: Flat Rate Cellular Phone Service (Tad Cook)
    Re: Rate Hike For Universal TouchTone? (John Lundgren)
    Re: T1 + Ethernet -> Fiber (John Lundgren)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Andrew Stevenson)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Sam Spens Clason)
    Re: IXC Invoice Over the Internet? (Joe Portman)
    Re: Nationwide Roaming (Jeffrey Rhodes)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
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----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Hendrik Rood)
Subject: Re: Britain-Japan Fiber Cable
Date: 30 Dec 1994 03:10:50 GMT
Organization: Hendrik's Humble Home Hero


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Wm.
Randolph U Franklin) says:

> AT&T will build a cable from Britain to Japan for $1.2G.  It'll be
> 17,000 miles long, 5Gbps, and carry 320,000 "voice and other messages".
> That looks like only 16Kbps per circuit (which looks low).  The
> current longest cable is a 9,000 mile one from France to Singapore,
> completed a year ago.

30 channels of 64 kbit/s in a 2 Mbit/s;
63 2 Mbit/s groups in a SDH payload of 155.52 Mbit/s;
32 SDH STM-1 groups makes up 5 Gbit/s;

This means 60,480 channels in the cable. Deployment of Digital Circuit
Multiplexing Equipment, boost channel usage with a factor five so total
speech channels is 302,400 (someone forgot the transmission overhead for
framing at different levels).

What's not mentioned in the price are the costs for multiplexers and
DCME.  SDH (international version of SONET) terminal muxes are about
$25,000 and you need them at every interception point, say at most 200
of them. This means at most five million dollars.  DCME is typically
$100,000 for five 2 Mbit/s groups compressing to one.  the total
investment on both sides in DCME is then 4,032 x $100,000 = another
$400 million.

For my experience with the TAT-10 cable the cable price is correct.

> Fun math: That works out to a capital cost per circuit of only $3750.
> Assume that a phone call from Britain to Japan costs $2/minute.  If
> all 320,000 channels were in continuous use, then the cable would be
> paid for in the first 31 hours.

Well I reach in total to $5291. But your price for the phone call must be
halved when the cable is laid I presume.

This means by secure peak loading (80%) ROI for this cable is about
110 hours (4 and a half days) if all the traffic was new! But this is
obviously not the case.  So what in fact happens is that you are
emptying other resources (satellites) or you have a massive extra
investment in trunk cards for telephone exchanges.  Then you have
empty nights, with traffic decreases by about 95% compared with
peak-hour. Of course this enormous amount of capacity must be
backed-up via other cables and satelites, which are still not written
off today and costed about the same price for about 10% of the
capacity.

> Alternatively, if we assumed that the cable is good for ten years,
> or 100,000 hours, then amortizing the capital cost would be three
> cents per hour, or $5e-4/minute.  This is a factor of 4,000 less
> than the price of the call.

No this is not true. The speed of transmission doubles every two year
(just as the complexity of Integrated Circuits, it's the same digital
technology). This means that you have to write of this cable in about
four years (it stil contains repeaters undersea so there is no easy
capacity upgrade possible yet).

> Now, I know that current cables cost a lot more; there are
> maintenance and operating costs; there is the cost of connecting the
> call from the subscriber to the cable, the load factor is under 100%,
> etc, etc.  But still, a factor of 4000, wow!!!

What you have to calculate is about a factor of 1000, but what you
simply are showing is the fact why operators deploy fibre-optic
technology. When you make up the sum otherwise, $1.2 G divided through
the length of the cable, you see a price of $40 per yard undersea
cable. Standard fibre-cable in poles cost about $5 to $10 per yard but
burying them in your neighborhood makes the fibre drop in the local
loop much more expensive then the intercontinental cable.

So the simple conclusion is:

1. your telco's are subsidizing your local rates by their
   international revenues. (This has always been the case).

2. The electronic highway shall be a question of the last mile,
   not intercontinental, that becomes soon nearly a free lunch.

Of course this cable must still be laid down. So you have to wait for
about two years.

When you realise that looking at NTSC-broadcast quality sports with
MPEG-2 encoding consumes about 6 Mbps. You can realise this cable is
only able to bear 672 video-channels concurrently or about ten times
as much video-conferences above desk-top quality.  So this cable is
simply designed to provide you with intercontinental high quality
multimedia interactivity at about the same price or a little cheaper
as your telephone call today!


Hendrik Rood

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

From: [e-mail] (Hendrik Rood)
Subject: Re: Flexible Hunt Groups With PBX?
Date: 30 Dec 1994 03:21:13 GMT
Organization: Hendrik's Humble Home Hero


In article <[e-mail]>, Robert Macfarlane <rob@babylon.
montreal.qc.ca> says:

> I know very little about phones, so I have a question for those of you
> who do:

> A businessperson friend of mine runs a BBS out of an office which has
> 14 voice lines on a hunt group. He has so far installed an additional
> eight lines on another hunt group dedicated to the BBS.

> Here's my question: are there PBX's which would allow re-allocation of
> lines from one hunt group to another, at different times of the day?

> My idea is to move some of the 14 voice lines from the voice hunt
> group to the modem hunt group from 6 pm to 6 am, since this is peak
> time for BBSing.  The voice lines are otherwise sitting there completely
> unused during the night.  And there's really no need to have more than
> eight lines to the BBS during the day.

> Are there PBX's which can do this sort of thing, or am I just fantasizing?

Split your voice hunt group in two parts and use time of day routing
or denounce a new formed third group as the overload group for both
your modem group and your voice group.  When the BBS-usage before 6 pm
is low this must not cause problems.


Hendrik Rood

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Daggett)
Subject: Re: "Co-Locating" in NJ?
Organization: NETRIX Corporation
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 19:52:58 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Michael E Flaster)
asks:

> A friend of mine is trying to set up a telecommunication business in
> NJ.  He's going to need a bunch of T1's.  On a brochure from Sprint,
> it says that monthly fees range from $350 - $3,000 per T1, depending
> on how rural your location is...  (Quite a range!)  But then they go
> on to say 'Drop "wire" through floor if "co-located" (same
> building/complex)' -- for $300/month.  What is co-locating?

  Back when I was a road-warrior for Sprint we had a couple of these
"co-located" T1's installed.  The idea is to lease office space in the
same building as the POP.  Your T1 is installed on a shielded, twisted
pair cable running through the building.  The STP is wired straight
down to the fiber mux going to the switch site. With no local loop
from the BOC there are no local loop charges.

> Can he demand space in a Sprint facility?  In a NJ Bell facility?

  I don't believe they will allow you install equipment at the switch
site.  (They wouldn't when I was there.) Those places are locked up
from the general population.

  I *have* leased space from SW Bell while I was working in Tulsa, OK.
They allowed me to drop one end of a fiber circuit on their transmission
floor.  I also contracted with them to maintain their end of the
circuit. It wasn't cheap ... but it was great service!

> Is this some kind of federal or state right?

Rights???  You have no rights. This is the  phone company...  :-)

> Who does he contact to set this up?  I assume he'd also have to pay
> for office space?

  You would be responsible for arranging the office space, and the
building wiring.  Talk to your local sales office for more info on
co-located drops.  When I was there it wasn't an official policy, it
was just good business.  The saving could be substantial.


Steve Daggett   [e-mail]   Herndon, VA  USA

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

From: [e-mail] (Mickey Henniger)
Subject: Re: AMPS Specifications For Data
Date: 29 Dec 94 05:46:17 GMT
Organization: cisco Systems


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

> I'm looking for information on data transmission in the AMPS cellular
> system.  Any information you have, or any books you know of, on the
> specifics of the way the data control channels in the AMPS system
> operate would help me very much.

You are looking for EIA-553, which specifies all this stuff in detail.


mick

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

From: [e-mail] (Tad Cook)
Subject: Re: Flat Rate Cellular Phone Service
Date: 29 Dec 1994 08:53:47 GMT
Organization: Seanet Online Services, Seattle WA


Shawn Gordhamer ([e-mail]) wrote:

>> Does anyone know why somebody hasn't started a flat rate cellular
>> phone service?  I seems to me that this kind of business would do
>> really well, since the users wouldn't have to pay air time.

> Well, cellular companies charge about $20 per hour on air time.  For
> unlimited service, they would probably charge BIG BUCKS.  There are
> already cellular plans for $200+ that are < 15 hours.

This morning's (12/28/94) {Wall Street Journal} had an article about
an experiment with flat rate celluar/PCS in England recently.  It
sounds like after the experiment, no company would ever want to try
this again.  In addition to free air time, they offered unlimited
dialing to anywhere for one day.  The system was so jammed that many
users couldn't use it.


Tad Cook    [e-mail]  or  [e-mail]  or  [e-mail]
Seattle, WA


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Its not that a company would not ever
do that again, its that before doing it, they will think it out a lot
better, make some changes in the terms, insure their capacity will handle
it, etc. It is a good idea if interested cellular carriers will think it
out very carefully first and have methods at hand to make required
adjustments and network configuration changes easily when needed.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: Rate Hike For Universal TouchTone?
Date: 29 Dec 1994 18:39:07 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


Mike Pelletier ([e-mail]) wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]>, Julie Johnson <[e-mail]>
> wrote:

>> I heard on the radio recently that Ameritech is awaiting approval
>> (today?) to enter the LD market. Can anyone enlighten me??

> On a tangentially related note, Ameritech just sent around a note to
> its subscribers saying that they're planning on converting everyone to
> touch-tone capable phone service, which currently costs a few bucks
> extra per month, and cutting current touch-tone subscribers bills by
> $2/mo, and raising non-touch-tone subscribers bills by $2/mo.

> Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't it cost them less money to
> support 100% touch tone in today's telecom environment?  Is this just
> a ploy to line their pockets from their captive market?

Yeah, that's what I used to say about Pac Bell.  A buck and a half a
month to save them from having to put in more equipment.  Weird.

It's been several years since Pac Bell quit charging extra.  One time
back when they were, I used the touch tone on my supposedly pulse only
line.  The DTMF broke the dial tone and I got the number; in other
words, the service was enabled even though I didn't pay for it.  Well a
short time later I got a letter from Pac Bell asking that I pay for
the service, but I wasn't about to do that.  They said that they had
tried to call me, but no one was at home. (Of course, I was at work).
So I called their number, after work, of course, and left a message
telling them no I didn't have a touch tone phone and to call me back,
at a more appropriate time, after work.  I never did hear from them
after that.

Finally they got around to giving us the service for free as it should
have been all along.  I'm surprised that there are any telcos still
charging for it in the U.S.


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: T1 + Ethernet -> Fiber
Date: 29 Dec 1994 18:54:55 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


Alan Boritz (drharry![e-mail]) wrote in response to
Paul A. Lee </DD.ID=JES2CAOF.UEDCM09/@SMX.sprint.com>:

> I think you're missing much more important point.  Fiber facilities
> cost much less to provide, but they're more difficult to maintain than
> copper.  If you install it sloppy, like NY Tel, you can't even be
> certain that some inadvertent local power loss (entirely beyond your,
> and telco's, control) could shut you down completely.  If you don't
> control all of the points on a fiber network (and provide uninterruptable
> power for mux's and other critical equipment), you don't have much of
> a network.  The last major power failure in lower Manhattan illustrated
> that point very well, when NY Tel customers in the financial district
> went without telephone service for days (even after their own office
> electrical power was back on) because there was no power to run the
> fiber facilities.

> Compare the installed cost of fiber AND all of it's ancillary equipment
> (that bring it's reliability up to that of copper facilities) and
> you'll have a TRUE comparison of fiber vs. copper.

It's true that often supposedly professional installations are lacking
in the backup systems necessary to keep them online when the lightning
storms or power outages roll through.

But ... copper doesn't have the bandwidth of fiber in its native
state, without the electronics to give it the wider bandwidth.  And
when it's got this additional electronics, then it suffers from the
same problem that fiber does, that it needs the exact same backup
power and environmental conditioning.  So as far as I see, there isn't
that much difference between the two when it comes to anything other
than POTS.


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Andrew Stevenson)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 16:47:31 +0600
Organization: University of Tasmania, Australia.


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]-
muenchen.de (Thomas Diessel) wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
> (John Perkins) wrote:

>> The number '999' is a simple and easy to remember number that, as you
>> say, has been used in Great Britain for about 50 years.  I haven't
>> heard of any other country that has had a nationwide emergency number
>> that long, a number that is familiar to the entire population over the
>> age of 18 months.

The number is 000 from anywhere in Australia. You get an operator who will
connect you to fire, ambulance or police. I seem to dimly recall all calls
are monitored by the police as well (even if you are speaking to, say the
ambulance.)

> The disadvantage of 999 is that it requires 27 pulses to dial. 112
> requires only 4.

So how many pulses is 000? As 0 would be unlikely I guess it's
probably 30 :-)


Andrew Stevenson

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

From: [e-mail] (Sam Spens Clason)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Date: 29 Dec 1994 19:45:12 GMT


In <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Bob Goudreau)
writes:

> [e-mail] (Erling Kristiansen) write:

>> As a side remark, I wonder how they came up with 112, which has a very
>> high rate of conflict with existing numbers. Most EU countries have
>> "0" as first digit to escape from local call to long distance or
>> special service.

> Yes, but many EU countries have long used numbers beginning with "1"
> for other special services, have they not?  What other European
> countries besides the Netherlands have (or had) local exchanges that
> start with "11" (or even just "1")?  Not many, I believe.

When assigning telephone numbers the most logical thing to do is to
simply number the connections.  So you start at 1 and increment, now
that doesn't work 'coz they should be of the same length.  So you
start at 10* and increment to 99*.  Saving the initial zero for
special numbers such as area codes and international prefixes.

This is the way it's been done in for example Sweden.  So the most
common number series over here is 1*.


Regards,

Sam

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

From: Joe Portman <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: IXC Invoice over the Internet?
Organization: Alternate Access Inc.
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 20:55:06 GMT


Scott Kennedy ([e-mail]) wrote:

> Does any long distance carrier provide billing via the Internet?  Is
> this available for small businesses (like mine?)?

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Exactly how would they go about billing
> 'via the Internet'?   There are none that I know of.    PAT]

I would assume you could do it in the same manner that THOUSANDS of
businesses exchange business information every day. There exist
standards and networks in place for EDI (E)lectronic (D)ocument
(I)interchange.

The transport medium (Internet in this case) is irrelevent, except
perhaps for security, which could be addressed via encryption.

EDI documents could easily be sent via the Internet, or any other
medium, they could be mailed, as they are ASCII text files.

Whether anyone is doing it is another question altogether.


Later,

Joe Portman - Alternate Access Inc.    Affordable, Reliable Internet
[e-mail]                      206-230-8732 (data) Login as "new"

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

From: [e-mail] (Jeffrey Rhodes)
Subject: Re: Nationwide Roaming
Date: 29 Dec 1994 17:56:56 GMT
Organization: McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail]


In article [e-mail], Alex Cena <[e-mail]>
writes:

> [e-mail] (Jeffrey Rhodes) writes:

>>> Can someone help me with the differences between IS-41 protocol used
>>> by cellular networks in the U.S. and MAP used by GSM?  Are they
>>> compatible so an existing cellular carrier who purchases a PCS license
>>> and builds a DCS1900 offer nationwide roaming between cellular and
>>> PCS?  i.e. I have a cellular license in Chicago and a PCS license in
>>> New York -- can my subscriber in New York roam on my network in Chicago.

>> The short answer is no.

> Many existing cellular carriers are bidding on PCS spectrum as a
> fill-in or expansion strategy.  Thus, I'm interested in learning how
> they plan to offer nationwide roaming to customers in markets where
> they have spectrum in the PCS band.  So let's say I'm PCS Primeco
> (NYNEX, Bell Atlantic, AirTouch and US West) and I win the PCS license
> in Chicago, can my Chicago PCS subscriber roam in my cellular markets?

> Are the air interface standard under consideration for PCS namely
> Upbanded versions of IS-54C, IS-95 and GSM compatible with IS-41?  Do
> they have to be inorder to offer nationwide roaming?  How widely
> deployed is IS-41 in the U.S.?  Since AMPS is the most widely deployed
> technology in the U.S., I'm assuming that initially the most practical
> solution is a dual-mode PCS/AMPS handset just like some carriers are
> offering dual-mode TDMA/AMPS today and others plan dual mode CDMA/AMPS
> soon.

It's hard to imagine that people are bidding millions of dollars for
PCS licenses and haven't decided on the air interface to be used. The
license is for frequency use only: What is transmitted on these freqs
is up to the provider.

It would be a big mistake to offer AMPS PCS and invite all the
associated fraud. AMPS may be the most mature product, but it is
inefficient, too.

In my opinion, a new PCS service would do well to concentrate on
networking and a single air interface. Initially, the biggest problem
is coverage and retuning constantly to add new cell sites. National
networking tends to lose priority, unless you are a visionary and
decide to build a North American Cellular Network (NACN) like McCaw has.
The NACN serves six million subscribers and I think the whole industry
is less than 20 million (half of which is GTE and Baby Bells on the
"B-side" which has convoluted national networking at best.) Unless you
have some clout with the terminal manufacturers, crossover to cellular
networks operating at 800 MHz is going to be a rough road.

Stick with TDMA/CDMA IS-41 with authentication for use in the US.
There has to be an inexpensive way to use the same radio at 800 and
1800 MHz, but "what is transmitted" needs to be the same.

If you are goading me to spill McCaw's PCS plans, it won't work. Top
management stategy is deliberately guarded and will only be shared
with employees after the bidding. If you want advice, be aware that RF
issues predominate the Business Plan and networking/architecture is
relegated to vendors and standards. My advise is to reverse the
emphasis, assume the RF is provided by vendors/contractors and
concentrate on networking to provide enhanced features that the
standards promise.


Copyright December 1994 by Jeffrey Rhodes.
[e-mail]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #472
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #471

TELECOM Digest     Thu, 29 Dec 94 21:28:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 471

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: GSM in Germany (Juergen Ziegler)
    Re: Does NYC Have GSM Service? (Alan Shen)
    Re: NYNEX Ringmate and Modems (Stan Schwartz)
    Re: NYNEX Ringmate and Modems (Steve Cogorno)
    Re: What is a T1 Line? (John Lundgren)
    Re: What is a T1 Line? (Scott Darling)
    Re: What is a T1 Line? ([e-mail])
    Re: What is a T1 Line? (Dave O'Shea)
    Re: What is a T1 Line? (Matthew P. Downs)
    Re: '500' Numbers Finally Available (Stan Schwartz)
    Re: Newbridge Channel Bank (Jerry Eckler)
    Re: Newbridge Channel Bank (William J. Dawson)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
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----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 11:01:00 +0100
From: [e-mail] (Juergen Ziegler)
Subject: Re: GSM in Germany
Organization: Aldebaran Marine Reserach & Broadcast <[e-mail]>


nick (n.t.) pitfield ([e-mail]) wrote:

> I will soon be moving to southern Germany (Friedrichschafen) for a
> couple of years and am interested in getting a GSM phone for use both
> there and during my ocassional trips back to the UK.

> Could somebody please post or email me the costs of this and similar
> phones in Germany, and also details on the different tariffs available,
> eg monthly line rental, call costs, insurance etc etc.

There are two competiting networks called "D1" and "D2". Both networks
are widely available in Germany. So far this competition has not led
to a serious reduction of the rates.

Here are the "usual" rates of most providers:
(all rates are in DEM and incl. all taxes)

Monthly subscription            80,--
Installation                80,--

Inter-network rates

Peak rate                 1,39/Min.
Off peak rate                 0,56/Min.

Intra-network rate

Peak rate                 0,69/Min.
Off peak rate                 0,39/Min.

Mobile phones                  199,-- ...

(if you subscribe to a network, else prices are much higher)

Juergen Ziegler * Obervogt-Haefelinstr. 48 * 77815 Buehl (Baden) * Germany
[e-mail] [e-mail] Fax[phone]

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

From: Alan Shen <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Does NYC Have GSM Service?
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 11:22:56 -0800
Organization: University of Washington


On Tue, 20 Dec 1994, JJ Fai wrote:

> We recently moved from Paris, France to New York, taking our GSM phone
> with us. Now we are wondering whether GSM service exists here, and if
> so, from whom, at what rates, etc.

Ouch. This is a pre-mature answer, but does the United States even
HAVE GSM? We're the oddball with AMPS, N-AMPS, TDMA and soon-to-be CDMA ...


Daniel Kao

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

From: [e-mail] (Stan Schwartz)
Subject: Re: NYNEX Ringmate and Modems
Date: 29 Dec 1994 01:40:28 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC


Andy Butts ([e-mail]) wrote:

> I know somebody out there is familiar with the NYNEX ringmate service.
> Well, whoever you are, I wanted to know something about it.  If I
> subscribe so that I have one extra number (in addition to my normal
> number) what will a modem on my telephone line detect when someone
> calls the Ringmate number?  Will it be RING, or something like RING
> RING?  Any help is appreciated.

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Your modem probably won't know the
> difference. The current surge will most likely be sufficient to

There are actually two answers ...

If you're capturing the activity from the modem, you will only see
RING once.  However, some modems (the Intel 400 internal being one of
them) can be programmed to only answer when a certain ring cadence is
received.  This is handy when line-sharing a data or fax device with a
voice line (no need to shell out extra $$$ for a fax/modem/voice switch.


Stan

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Cogorno)
Subject: Re: NYNEX Ringmate and Modems
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 19:23:02 PST


Mike Morris said:

> I remember seeing in comp.dcom.modems that at least one brand has
> firmware to handle caller ID and ringmate.  The strings that are sent
> to the computer give the information And the modem can be told what
> cadence (or cadences -- i.e. what phone number(s) to respond to.

> I've called Pac Bell several times and asked when I can get ringmate/
> <pick your choice of other names> and they tell me they have no idea.
> I tell them what it is and they say that the system can't do it.  I
> tell them that it has been available all over the country for over a
> year and they are speechless.  Is there any other "magic words" I can
> use to enlighten them?  If it helps any I'm northeast of downtown L.A.
> by about 12 miles, in the 818-447 exchange.

I have asked Pacific Bell the same question.  In fact, last time I
asked to speak to a supervisor.  Their reply was that California has a
shortage of numbers, and that they are not prepared to use up more for
the same number of lines. :-(


Steve    [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: What is a T1 Line?
Date: 29 Dec 1994 19:38:19 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


Ed Goldgehn ([e-mail]) wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] says:

>> I thought T1 has now been repackaged by the telephone companies as
>> ISDN Primary Access or Primary Rate ISDN (PRI), consisting of up to 24
>> B channels (1.5Mbps) in North America or 30 B channels (2Mbps) in 'the
>> rest of the world'.

> NO! [Worthy of a repeat] NO!

> ISDN PRI (23 B Channels and 1 D Channel) is carried to the customer on a
> (D4) T-1.  But there is definitely NO repackaging.  I doubt there ever
> will be because there is a very significant difference between a
> channelized T-1 and dedicated unchannelized service!

>> Originally T1 or Primary Access were used only within the telephone
>> networks (from one local exchange/central office (CO) to another), but
>> now it seems that, by packaging it as PRI, such rate now runs from CO
>> to customers premises (your office/home). Each T1 link is essentially
>> either a copper pair or an coaxial cable. The reason why T1 can run at
>> 1.5Mbps plus whereas your ordinary telephone line can run only at
>> 30kbps is because of a low pass filter! Low pass filters are inserted
>> at the end of the ordinary telephone lines for two reasons: to improve
>> speech quality and (more importantly) to limit your modem speed!

> T-1's require TWO pair of copper.  ISDN (BRI) requires ONE pair of
> Copper.  Since a Primary Rate (not Access) Interface rides on a T-1
> (in the US) Carrier, TWO copper pairs are required. Your "ordinary"
> telephone line can support 144 Kbps (BRI ISDN) - not just the 30 Kbps
> that you might get from analog technology -- that was an apple and
> orange comparison.

>> Has anyone ever used/seen a PRI? The above is just a guess because I
>> have not seen/used one. PRI/T1 are, I heard, usually run over 2 copper
>> pairs (4 wires). This means that your ordinary telephone line should
>> at least be able to run at 1 Mbps per pair. And ISDN Basic Rate (BRI)
>> runs at 192kbps. The telephone company wants you to pay different
>> prices for services over the same old pair of copper wire.

Come to think of it, that's like saying that you live where the cable
TV company only gives basic service, but down th street another cble
TV company offers premium channels, but it costs more.  And that's not
fair because it's the same old cable.  Well, welcome to life.  You
have to pay more to drive a Ferrari on the street than a VW.  It's
just not a valid comparison.

> The ability to operate anything over copper is dependent on the
> quantity of impedance loss.  You could get 150 Mbps to work over a
> single pair of copper if it's only 6 ft long.  The process of
> delivering bandwidth over any medium has more to do with how to
> deliver the signal with minimal loss than anything else.  What the
> telephone company wants you to pay for is the cost of maintaining a
> quality and low loss signal to your home/office and the equipment it
> takes to get it there.

> To imply that the same or less equipment investment by the telco's is
> required to deliver telephone (voice) grade service and high bandwidth
> digital service over the same pair(s) of wires is not just ludicrous -
> it displays a complete lack of understanding on the technology in
> question and serves only to further confuse those that do not spend
> their days and nights in the industry.

> I would sincerely hope that you refrain from providing us with more
> seemingly technical responses that have no basis in fact in order to
> express your own opinions referecincing something you obviously know
> considerably less about than you think.

> My suggestion:  Read more - type less.

> [I've never worked for a telephone company, so this response is not at all
> biased by who pays my salary - just for the record].

I'll have to second this motion.  We're confused enough by the facts,
don't make it worse.

L S Ng ([e-mail]) wrote:

> Edward F. Munro writes:

>> If T1 is 24 X 64K on 4 wires, and ISDN is 2 X 64K, then why do you only get
>> 4 X 64K when you use 2 ISDN links?  Is there a way to get 2 ISDN lines and
>> set yourself up with T1 bandwidth?!?

> I thought T1 has now been repackaged by the telephone companies as
> ISDN Primary Access or Primary Rate ISDN (PRI), consisting of up to 24
> B channels (1.5Mbps) in North America or 30 B channels (2Mbps) in 'the
> rest of the world'.

> Originally T1 or Primary Access were used only within the telephone
> networks (from one local exchange/central office (CO) to another), but
> now it seems that, by packaging it as PRI, such rate now runs from CO
> to customers premises (your office/home). Each T1 link is essentially
> either a copper pair or an coaxial cable. The reason why T1 can run at
> 1.5Mbps plus whereas your ordinary telephone line can run only at
> 30kbps is because of a low pass filter! Low pass filters are inserted
> at the end of the ordinary telephone lines for two reasons: to improve
> speech quality and (more importantly) to limit your modem speed!

Where did you get this idea?  Loading coils haven't been used for
quite a while, ever since it was cheaper to install a SLIC instead.
The digitizing of the incoming analog signal limits the bandwidth, but
the use of low pass filters sounds like pure fantasy to me.  There are
just too many phone lines to put these on every one.  Maybe you're not
aware that each and every phone line is equivalent to a low pass
filter, which depends on the length of the loop.  The longer the loop,
the lower the bandwidth.

> Has anyone ever used/seen a PRI? The above is just a guess because I
> have not seen/used one. PRI/T1 are, I heard, usually run over 2 copper
> pairs (4 wires). This means that your ordinary telephone line should
> at least be able to run at 1 Mbps per pair. And ISDN Basic Rate (BRI)
> runs at 192kbps. The telephone company wants you to pay different
> prices for services over the same old pair of copper wire.

We run 2 MBPS over a single pair up to 2K feet.  The specs that I've
heard for BRI here in the U.S. is, 2B + D ,is 64 + 64 + 16, or 144
KBPS.

> It is possible to achieve 2Mbps over four wires, but you need to ask
> for the telephone companies' "courtesy" to remove the low pass
> filter and the 'relatively ancient' ISDN switches (192kbps).

There is a service, I forget the number, for a straight copper pair
between two points.  I still haven't figured out what this 'low pass
filter' is supposed to do if the line is running straight into an ISDN
port on the switch.  If there were a low pass filter, then the ISDN
couldn't work.

> 2Mbps is the limit of working in full duplex mode.  In some
> applications such as video/TV, it is possible to pump more than 6Mbps
> down the copper wires.  This technique is known as ADSL (Asymmetrical
> Digital Subscriber Loop) and it is half duplex.  British Telecom was
> blocked by Bristish Government last month from using this technology
> for broadcasting TV over the old copper telephone networks to home.
> The technology is ready but the bureaucrats are not.

Well, our LAN is over twisted pair, and it' supposed to be good up to
100 MBPS, or cat 5.  So the bandwidth of the copper depends on the
distance that the signal has to go.  A local cable company has started
to install fiber so it's just a matter of time before the phone
companies will be getting some competition.  My understanding is that
ADSL here in the U.S.  is 1.544 MBPS or the same as T1.

> Copper wires are more or less similar to 'dark fibre'.  Dark fibre is
> a piece of optical fibre whose bandwidth and channel capacity are
> enormous (almost infinite) and it is hoped that telephone companies
> will give you the fibre but not limiting the customers in terms of
> channel capacity or bit rate that they can use, hence the name 'dark'.

"Dark Fiber" also has bandwidth limitations.  It depends, again, on
the length of the fiber, the wavelength of the light, and other
things, like installation losses.  So the bandwidth of a dark fiber is
by no means infinite.  Long fiber runs use single mode fiber where
runs less than a KM are usually multimode.  Fiber can have several
wavelengths running down it the same time, but that would require
duplication of the equipment at both ends.

> But only hope.  The fastest electronics switches could only run at
> Giga bits per second.  With SONET or ATM, the telephone companies is
> planning to give you 150Mbps or 600Mbps only.

> Remember also your Ethernet also run over the same old copper pair at
> 10Mbps.  The practical limit for single copper coaxial is more than
> 100Mbps.  In fact, it is recommended that ATM may use copper coaxial
> for the 150Mbps.

> So remember this: when you ask for ATM from your telephone company,
> make sure you get an optical fibre. Or they would give you a copper
> coax for 150Mbps and ask for more money when you need to 'upgrade' it
> to 600Mbps.  It is not possible to use copper coax at 600Mbps which is
> why you need a piece of cheap glass wire, otherwise known as the
> optical fibre by the telephone companies who want to glamorised their
> product names.

That's called 'marketing' in case you haven't heard.  BTW, it isn't
wire, it's fiber.  And it's not possible to use a piece of cheap
multimode fiber at 600 MBPS over the distances to a CO.  A piece of
'more expensive' single mode fiber will do 600.

Sounds pretty far-fetched to me.  I've never seen a copper coax going
to a phone company CO, only to the cable TV company.


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: What is a T1 Line?
Date: 29 Dec 1994 14:05:07 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Reply-To: [e-mail] (DSD)


In article <[e-mail]>[e-mail] (Ed Goldgehn)
says:

> T-1's require TWO pair of copper.  ISDN (BRI) requires ONE pair of
> Copper.  Since a Primary Rate (not Access) Interface rides on a T-1
> (in the US) Carrier, TWO copper pairs are required. Your "ordinary"
> telephone line can support 144 Kbps (BRI ISDN) - not just the 30 Kbps
> that you might get from analog technology -- that was an apple and
> orange comparison.

Technically, BRI ISDN is 2-64K B chanels, 1 16K D channel and another
16K channel for Telco maintenance use totaling 160K or 80K baud
capacity.  Not nitpicking, just thought you might like to know that.
And the above is the NORMAL configuration, there are several others.

Also, BRI ISDN can go upto 18, 000 feet from the actual serving office
before it requires any type of regenaration.

And talking about T-1 facilities, there is a new type called HDSL. It
stands for High Density Subscriber Loop. It is a FULL Duplex 768K on
two NON conditioned copper pairs that provides the 1.54mbit speed.
The 18,000 ft limit can be surpassed by a regenarator. The bridge tap
allowed is <2K ft.  AND there is NO separation needed in the cable.
AND it works! :) [I was skeptical at first when I saw one]

Why use them? CHEAP to install. The cable does not need to be
conditioned for T-1 carrier. No span repeaters or group separation is
needed. Thusly an enginerring job is not required.

The original poster is from England and the telco's over there are
vastly different in there usage of copper and fiber.


Scott Darling    Telco installer

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

From: [e-mail] (Butch lcroan/.nameBalcroan Lilli)
Subject: Re: What is a T1 Line?
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 17:37:40 GMT


Joseph H Allen ([e-mail]) wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]>, L S Ng <[e-mail]>
> wrote:

>> The reason why T1 can run at 1.5Mbps plus whereas your ordinary telephone
>> line can run only at 30kbps is because of a low pass filter! Low pass
>> filters are inserted at the end of the ordinary telephone lines for two
>> reasons: to improve speech quality and (more importantly) to limit your
>> modem speed!

The reason for the filters is to prevent some carrier above 3300HZ
from entering the A to D convertor and being multiplexed into the T1
which runs at 1.5MHZ . The reason for this is numerous and preceded
<MODEMS by quite a few yaers. The evil telephone company did this not
prevent you from sending higfh speed data as you implied ... there is
something called the Nyquist Law at work here that says you sample at
two times the fundamental frequency!

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

From: [e-mail] (Dave O'Shea)
Subject: Re: What is a T1 Line?
Date: 29 Dec 1994 20:14:08 GMT
Organization: WilTel
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Joseph H Allen ([e-mail]) wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]>, L S Ng <[e-mail]>
> wrote:

>> The reason why T1 can run at 1.5Mbps plus whereas your ordinary telephone
>> line can run only at 30kbps is because of a low pass filter! Low pass
>> filters are inserted at the end of the ordinary telephone lines for two
>> reasons: to improve speech quality and (more importantly) to limit your
>> modem speed!

Well, not quite. Typically, a voice call that goes through a digital
circuit (which is true for almost all non-local calls these days) gets
fed into some variant of an FXS or SLIC, which breaks the analog
conversation down into a 56k data stream.

Once broken down into that neat little stream -- which often happens
before you even get to the CO in many urban areas -- the call is
placed into a data channel on a T1. So, you see, the fact that you
have telephone service doesn't guarantee you your own copper even a
foot past the premises.

We happen to be in a nice, modern building, so the total length of the
copper is only about 150 feet, from the telephone room, across the
warehouse, and down into NJ Bell's "shack". From there, it does right
into a fibermux, and it's a 56k stream on a DS3 before it hits the
sidewalk. If I make a long distance call, it goes digital before it
even leaves the switch.

In some cases, your already-digitized call may be packetized for some
sort of cell-relay arrangement. In this case, you don't even have a
time slice on a DS1 anymore, unless you're actually talking.

So, when I ring up someone in another city, I'm not actually paying
for a straight copper run from one end to the other -- I'm just buying
bandwidth for the period that I use it.

> I think there's more to it that that.  At 1.5Mbps (a signal needing
> >3MHz bandwidth) the crosstalk should be pretty severe in a large
> bundle of twisted pairs.  This would prevent you from giving T1s to
> everyone.

Certainly given the state of some of the wiring that's out there. With
good-quality copper and proper termination, 10mhz signalling (a la
10baseT) is achievable for decent distances today, and I think most
people expect both the bandwidth and distance to grow, with the price
of the equipment coming down.

It's the long-haul bandwidth that's expensive, and the equipment that
it takes to switch it.

>> Has anyone ever used/seen a PRI? The above is just a guess because I
>> have not seen/used one. PRI/T1 are, I heard, usually run over 2 copper
>> pairs (4 wires). This means that your ordinary telephone line should
>> at least be able to run at 1 Mbps per pair.

> The loss at 1Mbps on both twisted pair and coaxial is pretty high.
> This means you would need lots of repeaters.  I don't think with voice
> that you need any repeaters between home and local office.  So at the
> very least, they have to add lots of repeaters everywhere.

If users want more bandwidth, the carriers seem quite eager to bring
it in. I don't expect we're really going to see a big drop in the cost
of high-capacity private circuits anytime soon, though, unless someone
comes out with an application to use it.

>> 2Mbps is the limit of working in full duplex mode.  In some
>> applications such as video/TV, it is possible to pump more than 6Mbps
>> down the copper wires.  This technique is known as ADSL (Asymmetrical
>> Digital Subscriber Loop) and it is half duplex.  British Telecom was
>> blocked by Bristish Government last month from using this technology
>> for broadcasting TV over the old copper telephone networks to home.
>> The technology is ready but the bureaucrats are not.

> I'd really like to see a detailed technical description of how this is
> done.  Perhaps they transmit at a different carrier on each pair in
> the bundle? I really don't see how else they would get rid of the
> cross-talk.

I'm not familiar with the technique, but I'd guess it's analogous to
the v.42 compression used by commercial modems; you put intelligent
equipment at each end that can spot and tokenize repetitive data
streams.


Dave O'Shea                         [e-mail]
Technical Development Manager       201.236.3730
WilTel Communications Systems       Did I *say* I'm a WilTel spokesman?

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

From: [e-mail] (Matthew P. Downs)
Subject: Re: What is a T1 Line?
Date: 29 Dec 1994 14:29:42 GMT
Organization: ADC Telecommunications


[e-mail] (L S Ng) writes:

> Edward F. Munro writes:

>> If T1 is 24 X 64K on 4 wires, and ISDN is 2 X 64K, then why do you only get
>> 4 X 64K when you use 2 ISDN links?  Is there a way to get 2 ISDN lines and
>> set yourself up with T1 bandwidth?!?

> I thought T1 has now been repackaged by the telephone companies as
> ISDN Primary Access or Primary Rate ISDN (PRI), consisting of up to 24
> B channels (1.5Mbps) in North America or 30 B channels (2Mbps) in 'the
> rest of the world'.

T1 is just a line format. PRIMARY rate uses this in order to make
higher rate connections.  The underlaying technology even to primary
rate is a T1 line with 24 DS0's each at 64 kbps.

> Originally T1 or Primary Access were used only within the telephone
> networks (from one local exchange/central office (CO) to another), but
> now it seems that, by packaging it as PRI, such rate now runs from CO
> to customers premises (your office/home). Each T1 link is essentially
> either a copper pair or an coaxial cable. The reason why T1 can run at
> 1.5Mbps plus whereas your ordinary telephone line can run only at
> 30kbps is because of a low pass filter! Low pass filters are inserted
> at the end of the ordinary telephone lines for two reasons: to improve
> speech quality and (more importantly) to limit your modem speed!

Who has telephony via coax right now in the field? Right now each one
is either a copper or optical fiber connection.  There is a difference
between coax and fiber. These filters are not to limit your modem
speeds, but to protect you 64 kbps channel from others.  So you don't
hear the cross talk on your line!  This was done a long time before
modems were ever thought of ...

> So remember this: when you ask for ATM from your telephone company,
> make sure you get an optical fibre. Or they would give you a copper
> coax for 150Mbps and ask for more money when you need to 'upgrade' it
> to 600Mbps.  It is not possible to use copper coax at 600Mbps which is
> why you need a piece of cheap glass wire, otherwise known as the
> optical fibre by the telephone companies who want to glamorised their
> product names.

A lot of things are stated as fact that are not in this ... such as
with SONET.  They are not planning on giving any one a 150 mpbs or
even 600 mbps links.


Matt

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

From: [e-mail] (Stan Schwartz)
Subject: Re: '500' Numbers Finally Available
Date: 29 Dec 1994 01:45:04 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC


The Toddster ([e-mail]) wrote:

> Hopefully, the local phone companies will reprogram their switches to
> allow dialing of 1 + 500 and 0 + 500 calls.  If they do not, it is my
> assumption that calls can still be made via +1.800.CALL.ATT (though
> this is PURELY speculation).

Hopefully, INDEED!  Rochester Telephone never upgraded their switches
to allow for EasyReach service, and I _COULDN'T_ complete the calls
through AT&T's 800 numbers either, as of the summer of '93.  An AT&T
rep told me that they couldn't force local phone companies to upgrade
their hardware/software to handle new LD services, and they also had
the same problem in Cincinnati.  This was one of the many reasons I
cancelled my EasyReach service.


Stan


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well I am sure Ameritech will be making
all the needed adjustments very soon now since they are also entering
the 500 arena. According to the {Chicago Sun Times} on Thursday, Ameritech
has been given approval to offer their own 500 numbers for local and
long distance use. As to be expected, AT&T and MCI both screamed loudly
to protest, claiming Ameritech would favor itself in the form of reduced
access rates (charged to its own telcos on its books) as opposed to the
access rates it has already demanded from AT&T and other long distance
carriers who intend to offer this service. So I don't think anyone is
going to have to tell *our* telephone company here about it ... grin.

Not only that, Ameritech's version is going to have a prefix for cellular
customers where the caller pays for the airtime instead of the traditional
method where the cellular owner pays in both directions. They are going to
offer voicemail, transfer on busy/no answer and a few other goodies on
their version as well, and this has gotten AT&T all the more annoyed
according to the newspaper account.   PAT]

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

From: Jerry Eckler <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Newbridge Channel Bank
Date: 29 Dec 1994 17:38:45 GMT
Organization: On-Ramp; Individual Internet Connections


[e-mail] (Michael Tague) wrote:

> where is the Newbridge company located (or phone number)?

The listing in the new Dallas Yellow Pages shows the following:

   Newbridge Network, Inc.
    14275 Midway Rd.
    I am not sure if this is Dallas or Addison, Texas
    [phone]

I think this is the home office.  If not they should be able to give
you the number.


Hope this helps.

Jerry

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

From: [e-mail] (William J. Dawson)
Subject: Re: Newbridge Channel Bank
Date: 29 Dec 1994 21:45:02 GMT
Organization: Anadigicom Corporation


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] says:

> Could someone suggest a good -- inexpensive -- place to get a
> Newbridge channel bank.  Also, where is the Newbridge company located
> (or phone number)?

> Does anyone have any thoughts about the most cost effective channel
> bank to get -- for voice use.
>
    Our organization manufactures the Channel Bank Multiplexer,
Model MUX100-1 which might meet your requirements.  The MUX100-1
supports various voice interfaces such as 4-wire E&M, 2 wire FXS or
FXO, etc. and converts them into either a T1 or E1 interface.  The
MUX100-1 can be configured to operate from either -48vdc or 115/230VAC
nominal input power.  Data ports are also available although you did
not specify this requirement.  The MUX100-1 can also be configured for
signaling conversion should you require this.

    If you need additional information, please respond via email
[e-mail] or to the below with your requirements:

    Anadigicom Corporation
    Ph-703-803-0400
    Fax-703-803-2956
    Attn: Gene Delancey

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #471
******************************


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Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #473

TELECOM Digest     Thu, 29 Dec 94 22:37:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 473

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: NYNEX Ringmate and Modems (John Lundgren)
    Re: Telephone Tariffs for 1995 California (John Lundgren)
    Re: Request For MTA, BTA Map (Chris Hillibrant)
    Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service (Clarence Dold)
    Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service (David Breneman)
    Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service (Paul Beker)
    Re: 360 NPA Works in 206 (Alan Shen)
    Re: Data Compressors For 56K DDS ([e-mail])
    Re: Flat Rate Cellular Phone Service (Alan Shen)
    Re: Pager Testing Procedures (Rob Lockhart)
    Re: TAP, Pager Information Wanted (Rob Lockhart)
    Re: Two-Line Caller ID Phone Needed (Kevin Kadow)
    Re: Apartments Getting Into the PBX Business (John Lundgren)
    Re: Christmas Greetings From AT&T (Chris Mork)
    Re: Christmas Greetings From AT&T (Alan Boritz)
    Re: Flexible Hunt Groups With PBX (Barton Bruce)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual
readers. Write and tell us how you qualify:

                 * [e-mail] *

The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
or phone at:
                    9457-D Niles Center Road
                     Skokie, IL USA   60076
                       Phone: [phone]
                        Fax: [phone]
  ** Article submission address only: [e-mail] **

Our archives are located at lcs.mit.edu and are available by using
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*************************************************************************
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----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: NYNEX Ringmate and Modems
Date: 29 Dec 1994 20:00:06 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


Mike Morris ([e-mail]) wrote:

> I remember seeing in comp.dcom.modems that at least one brand has
> firmware to handle caller ID and ringmate.  The strings that are sent
> to the computer give the information And the modem can be told what
> cadence (or cadences -- i.e. what phone number(s) to respond to.

I've heard that some of the boxes that are supposed to handle distinctive
ringing service, for using a fax machine on a voice line, don't always
work.  It seems that there can be some confusion on the rings, for
some reason, which causes them to be unreliable.

> I've called Pac Bell several times and asked when I can get ringmate/
> <pick your choice of other names> and they tell me they have no idea.
> I tell them what it is and they say that the system can't do it.  I
> tell them that it has been available all over the country for over a
> year and they are speechless.  Is there any other "magic words" I can
> use to enlighten them?  If it helps any I'm northeast of downtown L.A.
> by about 12 miles, in the 818-447 exchange.

Ask for a supervisor and pursue the issue.  Ive heard it called distinctive
ringing, but it might be called something else by P.B.  Whatever you
do, don't give up if you get the same 'idunno' from the stupidvisor.


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: Telephone Tariffs for 1995 California
Date: 29 Dec 1994 20:02:49 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


David Bower ([e-mail]) wrote:

> Where might I find a listing of the new tariffs that will be effective
> 1995?  Is there a California PUC Web site?

> How come in the vast amount of data avaliable on the net ... well -
> you know what I mean.

It seems to me the best place to go would be first to the telephome
book, then call your local business office.  They are more in touch
with reality than other sources of information.  Also try the California
State government internet address.


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Request For MTA, BTA Map
Date: 29 Dec 1994 15:25:04 GMT
Organization: Vidi --  Vici   --  Veni


> [e-mail] (Bruce McGuffin) writes:

>> Can anyone give me a pointer to the map showing the MTAs and BTAs
>> whose frequencies are being auctioned off in the "broadband" PCS
>> auctions? I've looked under fcc.gov and couldn't find it, although
>> I was never clear what the file naming convention was. Any help
>> is appreciated, post or e-mail.

> My understanding is that the MTAs (Metropolitan Trading Areas) and
> RTAs (Regional Trading Areas?) being used to divide up the PCS
> spectrum were defined by Rand-McNally for other purposes, and are
> shown on a map they publish. You might try calling Rand-McNally. I`ve
> also seen adds in RCR, or maybe Cellular Business for such maps.

These maps are available from PCIA (Personal Communications Industry
Association) for $50 each.  They are listed in DC information.


Chris Hillabrant    Washington, DC USA
[e-mail]

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

From: Clarence Dold <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service
Date: 29 Dec 1994 19:36:13 GMT
Organization: a2i network


Ry Jones ([e-mail]) wrote:

> 206 will consist of King county, parts of Snohomish and Pierce
> counties, and that's it. Consider the Houston model. Or think of an
> overlay. 360 will 360 206 ... bah. Someone grab the V&H from the
> Bellcore tape and post it.

The December BelCore V&H has 285 NXX in the 360 NPA.  All of the 285
also appear in 206 NPA, so we are obviously in a period of permissable
dialing overlap.

The 360-555 NPANXX has a description of "Seattle WA", rather than DIR
ASST.


Clarence A Dold - [e-mail]    Pope Valley & Napa CA.

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

From: [e-mail] (David Breneman)
Subject: Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service
Date: 29 Dec 94 19:20:33 GMT
Organization: Digital Systems International, Redmond WA


Kevin Paul Herbert ([e-mail]) wrote:

> 360 is reachable from US West in Oregon, at least at 503-488.

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: It works from 312/708 also as of
> the past couple days. But if you look at a map of the coverage
> area, it seems to be rather odd how this area code is placed
> with some in the extreme north part of Washington and some in
> the extreme south ... any ideas who decides where to put things
> like this?   PAT]

The idea was to retain the 206 area code for the Seattle/Tacoma
metroplex, which pretty much covers the east and south sides of Puget
Sound.  My home exchange (206-851) got to stay in 206 on Tacoma's
coattails since we had recently gotten the privilege of being able to
call Tacoma toll-free.


David Breneman                        Email: [e-mail]
System Administrator,           Voice: [phone]  Fax: [phone]
Product Development Platforms
Digital Systems International, Inc.        Redmond, Washington,  U. S. o' A.

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

From: [e-mail] (Paul Beker)
Subject: Re: 360 NPA in Partial Service
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 18:43:26 GMT


[e-mail] (David W. Tamkin) writes:

> For a case where one area code completely surrounds another, consider
> Atlanta or Houston, but consider Houston soon.

Actually, Atlanta does not fit this, courtesy of the brilliant actions of
the Georgia PSC.

Atlanta's 404 now reaches west all the way to Alabama (205), and south
to S. Georgia (912).  There is a small, disconnected, section of 706
(the new NPA) southwest of Atlanta still.

The reason: There was a huge uproar when the border communities found
out they would be in 706, not "not associated with Atlanta."


Paul Beker - Atlanta, GA    [e-mail]

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

From: Alan Shen <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: 360 NPA Works in 206
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 11:12:55 -0800
Organization: University of Washington


On 19 Dec 1994, Tad Cook wrote:

> For fun I just tried dialing my sister using the new 360 NPA.  She
> lives on Whidbey Island, which is in the area that will be served by
> the new area code starting in January.

>  From 206-527 (served by US West) here in Seattle it worked, on
> December 18.

I live in the new 360 area so I haven't been able to test out the new
360 NPA. I guess I have to go to a friend's house in the 206 area I
guess!


Daniel Kao    [e-mail]   Olympia, WA

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

From: [e-mail] (ssatchell on BIX)
Subject: Re: Data Compressors For 56K DDS
Date: 29 Dec 94 06:24:46 GMT
Organization: Delphi Internet Services Corporation


Ingo Cyliax <[e-mail]> writes:

> Is anyone using data compression device on their 56K DDS lines ? I
> would like to hear about experiences (effective data rates, latency
> issues, etc ...) especially in regard to IP over 56 DDS applications.
> I'm also interested in hearing about specific products (integrated
> CSU/DSUs, V.35 -> V.35, etc ...).

For what it's worth, I'm chairman of the Ad-Hoc group which is
defining standards for compression of synchronous data over CSU/DSUs.
The final proposal has been presented to the PPP group, and I'm in the
process of trying to turn that proposal into an ANSI standard.

     To my knowledge, no company has built a prototype of the standard
compression implementation but I expect that during the review phases
that we will have at least one implementation.

     I suggest you get the proposals from the PPP Working Group.  If
you have trouble doing so, please e-mail me ([e-mail]) and
I'll see about sending you drafts for your examination.

     Note that what I'm talking about are proposals, not accepted
standards.  That's a good six months away.

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

From: Alan Shen <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Flat Rate Cellular Phone Service
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 14:37:09 -0800
Organization: University of Washington


On Tue, 20 Dec 1994, Greg Tompkins wrote:

> Does anyone know why somebody hasn't started a flat rate cellular
> phone service?  I seems to me that this kind of business would do
> really well, since the users wouldn't have to pay air time.

Hehehe. Try that in a metropolitan area with the regular AMPS. Let's
talk about capacity ... :)


Daniel Kao

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

From: [e-mail] (RLockhart)
Subject: Re: Pager Testing Procedures
Date: 29 Dec 1994 00:30:07 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Don Hiatt)
writes:

>   Does anyone know of a formal(?) testing procedure for paging
> systems?  I do not mean whether or not the pager meets FCC guidelines,
> but more like some sort of standardized method to insure that a local
> paging system meets specifications (ie group pages sent to whole
> group, alarms trigger properly and page correct pager).

>  Any help would be greatly appreciated (even if the methods pertain
> to different devices, at least I could have a starting place).

Fascinating question ... which begs the follow-up question concerning
the need for such a query.  Regardless, PCIA recently sponsored a
Technical Committee working group on how to test functionality on a
system using a specific signalling scheme.  I don't know if there was
a published 'results' paper from this working group, but that might be
a place to start.  PCIA may be reached in Washington at 202.467.4770.


Rob Lockhart, Resource Manager, Interactive Data Systems
Advanced Messaging Systems Division, Paging Products Group, Motorola, Inc.
Desktop I'net:  [e-mail]
Wireless I'net (<32K characters):  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (RLockhart)
Subject: Re: TAP, Pager Information Wanted
Date: 29 Dec 1994 00:45:08 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)


In article <[e-mail]>, Bob Spargo <[e-mail]>
writes:

> The following is an explanation and code snipet from an associate
> of mine that should get you started.

Hmmm ... 'associate' has a nice ring <grin>.

For those with NewsGroup viewers with settable fonts, the thread Bob
quoted needs to be viewed in a mono-spaced font to have the columns
line up properly.  If you want the formal protocol, PCIA (Personal
Communications Industry Association ... formerly Telocator) may be
reached at 202.467.4770.


Rob Lockhart, Resource Manager, Interactive Data Systems
Advanced Messaging Systems Division, Paging Products Group, Motorola, Inc.
Desktop I'net:  [e-mail]
Wireless I'net (<32K characters):  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Kevin Kadow)
Subject: Re: Two-Line Caller ID Phone Needed
Organization: Ripco Internet BBS, Chicago
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 06:20:13 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, Sandy Kyrish <0003209613@mcimail.
com> wrote:

> This is harder than I thought!
> Here's what I need:

> two line phone
> two line answering machine
> speakerphone
> Caller ID capability on line two
> cordless (this is not ABSOLUTELY necessary but...)

> How to get all this for less than $668, which is the cost of a Tropex
> two-line cordless and at AT&T ans machine/spkrphone.

> Also: any feedback on the $399 Tropez? Worth it?  Reply to list or to
> [e-mail].

A friend of mine ordered a 900Mhz two-line cordless (Tropez?) phone
with caller ID capability on both lines and speakerphone. This phone
has a range of a little less than 1/2 city block, but that's a vast
improvement over the range of most cordless phones in the city.

You can buy a cheap box so your low-end answering machine will pick up
either line, and then use the Caller-ID record (32 numbers) on the
cordless to help you figure out who left the messages and if/what calls
you missed on one line because the answering machine was busy with the
other.


[e-mail]    Kevin Kadow
FREE Usenet/Mail, inexpensive Internet - Ripco... Wearing white hats since 1983
Dialup:[phone]|Gopher:gopher.ripco.com|Telnet:foley.ripco.com ('info')

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

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: Apartments Getting Into the PBX Business
Date: 29 Dec 1994 07:39:39 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


David G. Cantor ([e-mail]) wrote:

> In TELECOM Digest, Volume 14, Issue 437, John Lundgren states:

>> ... many larger apartment complexes are getting a PBX ...  as of
>> Jan 1, anyone [in California] can get into the business of
>> furnishing dial tone.

> It was roughly two years ago when the California PUC turned over
> responsibility of telephone wiring in an apartment complex to the
> owner.  By PUC regulations, the owner is required to provide at least
> one working line from the telco point of demarcation to each
> apartment.  The telcos simply stopped maintenance of the usual rat's
> nest and left it for the apartment management.

You misinterpreted my previous post.  It had _nothing_ to do with
wiring.

I was talking about furnishing *dial tone*.   As in PBX.


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Chris Mork)
Subject: Re: Christmas Greetings From AT&T
Date: 29 Dec 1994 11:52:32 -0500
Organization: Internet Access Cincinnati 513-887-8877


I was poking around in the FCC's telnet site and came across some
legal briefs filed by the FCC concerning these "scam" practices of
switching carriers with "free give-aways". It seems some companies
(including the big boys) want to give you these "gifts" or "free
money" with some VERY fine print " ... by the way, by accepting this
gift, you agree to switch carriers ... bla-bla ..."

Needless to say, the FCC was not amused. There were even some
companies taking advantage of "non-English speaking" or "illiterate"
customers, getting them to sign on the dotted line without their full
comprehension!

Unfortunatly, I can't remember the file name/path, maybe someone can
find these and post them? All I remember was "FCC.GOV"


Chris Mork    [e-mail]

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

Subject: Re: Christmas Greetings From AT&T
From: drharry![e-mail] (Alan Boritz)
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 94 22:14:12 EST
Organization: Harry's Place - Mahwah NJ - [phone]


Paul Robinson <[e-mail]> writes:

> I would recommend to the father that he call his local telephone
> company and tell them to switch service back to MCI; don't even
> mention this check to the son; assuming anyone even notices, if AT&T
> complains, ask for a copy of the signed order from the subscriber.

And who's going to pay for the PIXC change?  His lazy son? <g>

> The son is not the subscriber and has no authority to change the
> service.  It is not your position to prove you didn't authorize it,
> it's theirs to prove they have an authorization from someone who can
> issue the authorization.

But it's not going to stop AT&T from issuing ANOTHER PIXC change just
like the did the first unauthorized change.  The subscriber should
first issue an order to the local telco to not accept account changes
from anyone but HIM.

> Or just ignore the whole thing and dial 10222 to get MCI before every
> call, which is what I used to do when I wanted to use AT&T on the line
> I had switched to MCI in order to get the free bag from them; I dialed
> 10288 to get AT&T before calls, or I just use the other line which is
> still on AT&T.

Absolutely do NOT ignore it.  Slamming is a sleazy way of doing long
distance business, and no one should have to put up with it.  State
public utilities regulatory agencies are usually interested in
investigating such incidents.  The father should file a simple
complaint against his local telco requesting that they be ordered to
change his PIXC back to the original LD carrier, that AT&T be charged
for all costs associated with the PIXC changes, and that the local
telco be ordered to refund to the subscriber any additional long
distance charges (and lost discounts) due to the unauthorized change.


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

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Flexible Hunt Groups With PBX?
Sender: Barton F. Bruce / CCA <[e-mail]>
Date: 29 Dec 94 23:09:54 -0500
Organization: Cambridge Computer Associates, Inc.


In article <[e-mail]>, Robert Macfarlane <rob@babylon.
montreal.qc.ca> writes:

> A businessperson friend of mine runs a BBS out of an office which has
> 14 voice lines on a hunt group. He has so far installed an additional
> eight lines on another hunt group dedicated to the BBS.

> Here's my question: are there PBX's which would allow re-allocation of
> lines from one hunt group to another, at different times of the day?

> My idea is to move some of the 14 voice lines from the voice hunt
> group to the modem hunt group from 6 pm to 6 am, since this is peak
> time for BBSing.  The voice lines are otherwise sitting there completely
> unused during the night.  And there's really no need to have more than
> eight lines to the BBS during the day.

> Are there PBX's which can do this sort of thing, or am I just fantasizing?

The idea is already in use, but the problem you have missed is that
the CO, not the PBX, controls normal hunting. But there ARE ways.

In the 'good-old-days' there were often 'hunt-break' switches
installed at a site to kill off the hunting beyond the LTN so all the
brass could have their night lines set up with higher lines in the
hunt group with NO CHANCE of unexpected calls reaching their offices.

Probably as a special assembly thing, you could get a hunt break
installed such that some block of numbers, that was a hunt group all
by itself, extended the voice group by day and the modem group at
night. Crude but possible. Painful switching required to get the
lines off the PBX and onto modems, too.

Far better, if T1 DID is cheap where you are, is to simply manage your
OWN hunting. Have an adequate block of DID numbers. NB that most PBXes
do NOT require all station numbers to be in the DID range, so a single
DIDable number could be the pilot into a LARGE hunt group of extensions
with modems attached. Any DID trunk could access these extensions by
dialing *THE* single lead number. Though not necessary, doing it this
way precludes savvy users cheating during the day by dialing
explicitly to modem ports removed from the daytime group.  OTOH,
having ALL modem extensions DIDable allows easy testing.

Having the CO and the PBX use circular hunting (least recently used
allocation) ensures that broken equipment has minimal impact.

Obviously analog DID trunks work too, but T1 ones are better.

Perhaps a simple example will help.

Say the PBX has a t1 for DID, so you have 24 voice lines of dialin,
and each one can randomly access any extension in the allowed range.
Say you have the 200-600 numbers available, and 599 is *the* first
line in the modem hunt group. There are 22 modems in the modem hunt
group, but the last 21 could be on extension numbers outside 200-600,
e.g. could be 1xx numbers. Say the first company DID number is
333.4200, that makes the modem number 333.4599.

During the day, the PBX is reprogrammed to just have eight extensions
in the modem group. During the night, all 22 are available and when in
use, only the two remaining DID trunks would carry random calls to
other extensions in the 333.4200-4699 range. All modem calls are to
333.5999, but the CO has NO IDEA how many are available. It simply
presents each successive call to the next to be used trunk and the
PBX either rings some extension or returns busy signal.

If there were four FAX lines during the day (say at 333.4234 which fed
a hunt group including 191, 192, and 193 (not directly DIDable), the
latter three could be cut off in the evening and their capacity gets
added to the modem pool. If you prefer to leave the FAX machines all
available, that is ok, except heavy evening infaxing could cut into
modem ports -- whatever call comes in uses that trunk.

Just be sure to keep the required minimum voice ports open for
emergency communication to staff working late.

You can change your split daily to suit varying needs.

DID trunks may cost enough more that this is a POOR idea unless they
are already justified for normal dial to the desktop needs.

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #473
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #474

TELECOM Digest     Fri, 30 Dec 94 00:10:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 474

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: GSM in Germany (Kimmo Ketolainen)
    Re: Handshaking: Computer-Computer or Modem-Computer? (Jon Sreekanth)
    Re: Handshaking: Computer-Computer or Modem-Computer? (John Lundgren)
    Re: Long Dial Tone Holds [Was DMS-100 vs 5ESS] (Mike King)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Juha Veijalainen)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Finn Stafsnes)
    Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries (Christian Weisgerber)
    Re: Looking For MNP Protocol Specs (Christian Weisgerber)
    Re: British Telecom Information Superhighw (Henrik Bergqvist)
    Re: Christmas Greetings From AT&T (David Cornutt)
    Re: Christmas Greetings From AT&T (John D. Borrows)
    Re: Christmas Greetings From AT&T (Luke J. Smithwick)
    Re: Information Needed on Digital Interfaces/Protocols (John Lundgren)
    Re: Flat Rate Cellular Phone Service (Lawrence Chen)
    Re: Buying GSM-Phones Abroad - a Comment (Sean Leviseur)
    Re: Britain-Japan Fiber Cable (John Nagle)
    Re: Long Dial Tone Holds [Was DMS-100 vs 5ESS] (Michael Israeli)
    Re: Watching the Area Codes Split (Gordon Baldwin)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual
readers. Write and tell us how you qualify:

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

From: [e-mail] (Kimmo Ketolainen)
Subject: Re: GSM in Germany
Organization: Turun yliopisto - University of Turku, Finland
Date: Thu, 22 Dec 1994 22:06:07 GMT


nick (n.t.) pitfield <[e-mail]> wrote:

> I currently have an Nokia 101 analogue, which I think is a very well
> designed and functional phone (for it's time) and thus am thinking
> about getting the similarly styled Nokia 2110 GSM phone, which I
> understand is pretty much the dog's bollocks as far as GSM phones go.

Nokia 2110 is a very good choice. At the moment it has the best
features of all digital phones (including data/fax), and is quite
small. I know only one digital phone that is smaller: the Ericsson
GH337.

Nokia 2010 has the same chassis as the old analogue 101, and its
features has also been cut (and the price.)

See <http://www.utu.fi/info/televerkot-ukk.html#11> for pictures
and features of over 20 digital phones (ask for a translation if
needed).


Kimmo Ketolainen    University of Turku            home [phone]
[e-mail]                            shoe [phone]
FIN-20540 Turku  http://www.utu.fi/finland.html    work [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jon Sreekanth)
Subject: Re: Handshaking: Computer-Computer or Modem-Computer?
Date: Fri, 23 Dec 1994 21:07:03 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail]
(Alain Fontaine) writes:

> Things have changed a lot in ten years. Ten (mmm, let's say fifteen to
> be sure) years ago, modems were just that: boxes containing a
> modulator and a demodulator, with sometimes a few additional circuits
> like a relay to connect the modem to the line and a ring detector. The
> data communication interfaces we are still seeing today were invented
> at that time, and their purpose was to allow the host to exercise a
> direct and detailed control on those simple electronic functions. If
> dialing by the computer was needed, one had to add another box, with a
> second (parallel) interface to the computer.

> Then came the era of 'intelligent' modems. The box called 'modem' now

Fascinating. If I understand right, the second parallel interface was
required because any character sent on the first would just get modulated
and sent out on the phone line, instead of being interpreted as a
command? And the intelligent modem breakthru was to make a moded
modem, to be in command mode initially, go into data mode upon carrier
detection, and drop out upon carrier loss or upon seeing the infamous
escape sequence? Is this how Hayes got their start?


Jon Sreekanth
Assabet Valley Microsystems, Inc.       Fax and PC products
5 Walden St #3, Cambridge, MA 02140     [phone]
[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: Handshaking: Computer-Computer or Modem-Computer?
Date: 29 Dec 1994 08:02:01 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


Like the other post says, things have changed a lot since the times of
the 103 type modems.  Back then, when you droped RTS, that was
actually turning off the transmitter, and you would lose the carrier.
Nowadays, because the two modems are talking sync between themselves,
with sophisticated trellis coded forward error correction and/or
whatever, the dropping of the RTS may not really mean no carrier.  It
may just mean to stop sending data from the modem to the PC, and the
carrier may not be affected.  And the modems have so many options and
switches that can be set that it's hard to tell what they're going to
do, or what the default action is.  I guess if a person really tried
hard, they could get the modem to dumb itself down to the old 103
level, but it would probably take a bit of research and a lot of
configuration.


Happy holidays.

John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Mike King)
Subject: Re: Long Dial Tone Holds [Was DMS-100 vs 5ESS]
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 15:24:57 PST


In TELECOM Digest V14 #467, Paul Robinson <[e-mail]> wrote:

> Here in Montgomery County, MD, dialing 1 301 *67 just gets silence as the
> switch waits for more digits.
> Dialing *67 at the start of a call returns stutter dial tone.  [...]
> You do not have to wait for the stutter to stop either.

Data point: Even at the time I moved from Montgomery County in
December of 1993, the switch that served me (Gaithersburg 301.990)
required that one wait for the stutter to stop.  Attempting to dial
digits (DTMF) during the stutter resulted in them being ignored.  The
switch would then recognize the digits after the stutter, and as soon
as the first three digits after the stutter ended were not recognized
to be a local NXX, SIT and "Check the number or dial one" would be
returned.

I believe 301.990 was served by a 5E.  Perhaps Paul is served by a
DMS-100 or by a 5E with a different generic.


Mike King    [e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: A minor point perhaps, but I have always
been so glad that here we need not pause at all in dialing string when
prepending *67 or *70 to the number. We can just dial right on through
it without needing to include a comma or whatever is used to create a
two second pause. It should be noted however that when using both *67
and *70 in your string -- that is you wish your ID blocked and you wish
to not be interuppted with call waiting, it is prudent to put the *67
first, as in *67*703125551212 or whatever. You'll get stutter tone after
each request, but a couple people have reported, to their chagrin, that
in some generics, *67 only seems to work properly *if it comes first*.
You might want to check it out in your community and see if it matters
or not before you make 'that call' ... <grin> ... t'would be a shame
to find out your intentions were not met.      PAT]

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

From: [e-mail]
Date: 29 Dec 1994 01:48:00 GMT
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries


>> Anyone know whether 112 was picked because a person might be able to
>> "dial" it by flashing the hook if they had to?

> I rather suspect it was picked because of the ease with which a
> cordless phone with failing batteries will dial it spuriously.

I think '112' probably was selected because:

        - it's easy to dial (find) on a normal phone keypad;

        - choosing a combination of two numbers (ie 112 instead of 111)
          might reduce the number of inadvertent emergency calls
          (a child/dog/parrot/whatever playing with phone);

        - if the Germans already had 112 emergency number that's
          a reason enough :-);

        - it might have fewer collisions with existing numbers (certainly
          was not true for Finland).

General emergency number in Finland was changed from 000 to 112 on
January 1st, 1994.  This required extensive changes to phone numbers,
though many changes were made in preparation of long distance dialing
code change (from 9 to 0) in future.

For some reason Police emergency number is 10022.  Anyone got a good
explanation why that was selected?


Juha Veijalainen    System analyst, tel. [phone]
Unisys Finland    Internet: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Finn Stafsnes)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries
Organization: Norwegian Telecom Research
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 94 07:27:12 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]-muenchen.
de (Thomas Diessel) writes:

>> In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
>> (John Perkins) wrote:

>>> The number '999' is a simple and easy to remember number that, as you
>>> say, has been used in Great Britain for about 50 years.  I haven't
>>> heard of any other country that has had a nationwide emergency number
>>> that long, a number that is familiar to the entire population over the
>>> age of 18 months.

>> The disadvantage of 999 is that it requires 27 pulses to dial. 112
>> requires only four.

Well, the number of pulses depend upon where you are calling from.
999 needs only three pulses if you are calling from a phone in Oslo,
Norway, (#pulses=10-n, where n is the digit) and the same is true for
a few other small areas in the world. On the other side 999 will need
30 pulses when dialed in Sweden (#pulses=n+1).

BTW, the present emergency numbers in Norway are:

Fire:        110
Police:        112
Ambulance:    113


Finn Stafsnes

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

Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 17:18 MET
From: [e-mail] (Christian Weisgerber)
Subject: Re: Emergency Numbers in Various Countries


In TELECOM Digest was written:

> Yes, but many EU countries have long used numbers beginning with "1"
> for other special services, have they not?

Germany:  112  fire, emergency
          110  police

> What other European countries besides the Netherlands have (or had)
> local exchanges that start with "11" (or even just "1")?  Not many, I
> believe.

Just a klick away, in Mannheim, there's an exchange starting with "1".
I suppose there are no "11" numbers, there are "12" ones, though.


Christian 'naddy' Weisgerber, Germany    [e-mail]

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

Date: Thu, 29 Dec 94 17:11 MET
From: [e-mail] (Christian Weisgerber)
Subject: Re: Looking For MNP Protocol Specs


In TELECOM Digest John Lundgren writes:


> Chris Kalisiak ([e-mail]) wrote:

>> I am looking for the MNP protocol specs from Microcom. If
>> anyone knows where I can find them on the 'ne

You can find the specs for MNP2..4 as Appendix A in the ITU-T V.42
Recommendation, available under gopher://info.itu.ch/.

It seems the MNP5 specs are available against NDA only.


Christian 'naddy' Weisgerber, Germany     [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Henrik Bergqvist)
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 94 09:21:44 +0100
Subject: Re: British Telecom Information Superhighw


In article [e-mail], Yves Blondeel <[e-mail]>
writes:

>  The prohibition only applies to the delivery of entertainment
>  services directly to residential customers as end-users in a local
>  loop. The conveyance of signals within the network, for example to
>  cable TV head-ends and also to individual business users,
>  is permitted.

What is the definition of entertainment services?  Is there a
difference in the regulation between point-to-point services and
broadcast services?  What would the regulatory issues be if the PTO
(i.e. BT) only made the bit transport service to the residence and an
other company provided the actual service (e.g. videoserver)?


Henrik Bergqvist [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (David Cornutt)
Subject: Re: Christmas Greetings From AT&T
Organization: NASA/MSFC
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 21:15:10 GMT


I got one of those things.  Unfortunately for AT&T, the phone number
that they had on the check was not an actual line, but an old remote-
call-forwarded number that I was retaining for personal reasons.

As such, it was, of course, utterly impossible to make outgoing calls
from that number.  So the check went in the trash.  I imagine that
cashing it under those circumstances probably would have constituted
fraud.

But I still can't help but wonder.  The look on someone's face would
have been priceless when they tried to enter that service order ...


David Cornutt, Huntsville, AL [phone] [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (John D. Borrows)
Subject: Re: Christmas Greetings From AT&T
Date: 29 Dec 1994 00:18:26 GMT
Organization: NRRI


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

> Now my son is one of those adult children who happened to return to
> our empty nest.  He takes full advantage of his return to the nest
> including the use of MY telephone, he doesn't now have a phone he can
> call his own, nor for that matter has he ever been a customer of any
> phone company.  But still Ray Drake in his generosity has decided to
> give him 40 bucks for Christmas -- hold on there are strings seems when
> the kid cashed the check he changed _MY_ LD carrier from MCI to AT&T!
> This annoyed me because I'm happy with MCI and don't want AT&T as my
> LD carrier!

WAIT, where your LD goes is a matter between you and your local
telephone company.  They will presubscribe you to whomever you direct
them to.  All you have to do is contact them and tell them you want
MCI.  There may be a charge for the change.  They are not in a
position to arbitrate any dispute between you and AT&T (or you and
your son 8^).  There should be no problem from them, and if there is,
just contact your state Public Service Commission.

Let AT&T sue you for the contract.  They will only find out that their
contract is with your son, who, if he is like my live in, gone and
back son, is judgment proof.


John,   National Regulatory Research Institute

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

From: [e-mail] (Luke J. Smithwick)
Subject: Re: Christmas Greetings From AT&T
Date: 29 Dec 1994 14:25:58 GMT
Organization: EE Dept at UF


I think you have a much more serious problem in that your son clearly
has little or >>>NO INTEGRITY<<<.

Try fixing this problem before you worry about AT&T.  AT&T is one of
the few companies that believes people can still be trusted.  They
treat ALL people with dignity and respect, which your son does not
warrant by his activities.


LJS


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Except you are wrong. AT&T believes you
can be trusted if you are of certain nationalities and making international
calls to the 'right' countries. If you are making an international call
to the 'wrong' country, and your voice sounds 'funny' to the operator
handling the call, AT&T will refuse to accept *even their own credit
card* as payment. You can put twenty dollars in quarters in the phone
box or you can forget it. No extensions of credit from pay phones if your
home is in a part of the world that AT&T doesn't like.

Aside from AT&T's illegal and highly discriminatory credit practices
where the use of their own calling card is concerned, its insulting how
ignorant they assume their customers to be when said customer questions
why his calling card -- the one he pays for every month without fail,
never late on his bills -- suddenly is unacceptable for calls to his
native country. The operator says the card cannot be used to pay for
the call, and she hopes you will just hang up and go away. When you
scream loud enough, and get downright obnoxious and demand to be connected
to a supervisor at the Pittsburgh IOC (international operating center)
she'll put you through to someone who gives you this rap about how
" ... the telephone company in Israel won't accept the AT&T card ... "
as if the Israel telco had anything at all to say about how some other
telco collects for its outbound paid traffic to that country!

So you respond to the supervisor (if you can keep from smirking and
laughing) it has nothing at all to do with how some telco in [middle
east country of your choice] chooses to bill. This is *paid* traffic.
What it has to do with is AT&T's unwillingness to close up the security
flaws in their calling card. They find it easier to take it out on
their customers instead, and make broad, sweeping statements about the
likelyhood of people from one country or another to cheat. So you take
a case like the Rogers Park neighborhood in Chicago where a very large
number of people from Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and India
live. AT&T will not handle calling card traffic to those countries from
payphones in certain neighborhoods of Chicago.

On the other hand, the Good Citizens of the very same neighborhood,
with their War on Drugs intimidated Illinois Bell into making all the
pay phones in the area 'no-coin' during evening and overnight hours;
the very same hours when it is daylight and business is being conducted
in the above countries.  So Illinois Bell and the Good Citizens say
use your calling card when at those payphones at night so we can keep
better track of you; but AT&T says you cannot use your calling cards at
those payphones to call many international places.  Neat huh?  And if
you really complain; write to AT&T or the FCC or whoever, you get back
a letter from AT&T apologizing for the 'mixup' and including a couple of
'Pay to the Order of the Telephone Company' five dollar credit vouchers
(gift certificates) to appease you. They blame the operators, saying
the one who handled the call must have not been correctly trained!  <grin>
And so, LJS, that's how AT&T trusts their customers: provided you are
calling the right place, from the right neighborhood and you sound the
right way, they trust you; all others pay cash provided the Good Neighbors
still allow payphones to be installed in the McDonald's parking lot.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: Information Needed on Digital Interfaces/Protocols
Date: 29 Dec 1994 07:44:30 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


For information on X.25, get it about the amateur version, AX.25, from
ham radio sites.  Try the newsgroups rec.radio.amateur. (whatever) to
get some FTP sites.  The one I can remember is arrl.org.

Also, try com.dcom.lans for the sites where you might find X.25.


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]

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

Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 18:52:05 -0500
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: Lunatic Haven Information Systems
From: [e-mail] (Lawrence "The Dreamer" Chen)
Subject: Re: Flat Rate Cellular Phone Service


In comp.dcom.telecom, article <[e-mail]>, was written:

> Does anyone know why somebody hasn't started a flat rate cellular
> phone service?  I seems to me that this kind of business would do
> really well, since the users wouldn't have to pay air time.

I don't know how wide spread the service is, but up here (Canada) they
have packages where you get unlimited weekend calling, and for $10 a
month more you get unlimited evening calling (7pm-7am).  They probably
figure the amount of traffic by business users is low enough during
these times that they can manage.  Though I have friends where the
bulk of their cellular usage is during evening.  Actually, if I were
to ever fall into the cellular trap, it would be weekends and
evenings.  During the day, I'm in the office where I have easy reach
of a phone.  Sometimes I really question the value of my pager, but
that's another story.


Email: [e-mail]    or    "Lawrence Chen" @ 1:134/3002
PHONE: [phone]      FAX: [phone]       CIS: 74200,2431
Praxis Society K12 BBS: [phone] Lunatic Haven: [phone]
Packet: VE6LKC @ VE6PAQ.#SEAB.AB.CAN.NA - Coming Soon, Praxis Free-Net

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

From: [e-mail] (Sean Leviseur)
Subject: Re: Buying GSM-Phones Abroad - a Comment
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 17:10:18 GMT
Organization: Novell UK


In article <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail].
Unisys.com> wrote:

> In some countries GSM service providers subsidize the phones:  you can
> buy your phone at a very cheap price but at the same time you have to
> sign a contract with the service provider -- and they charge you extra
> for a year or two.

In the UK the price doesn't change from one year to the next. I cannot
really see why it isn't a good idea to get a new phone every year and
to sell the old one. If there is a subsidy you may was well take it :-)


sean

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

From: [e-mail] (John Nagle)
Subject: Re: Britain-Japan Fiber Cable
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 17:40:03 GMT


[e-mail] (Wm. Randolph U Franklin) writes:

> AT&T will build a cable from Britain to Japan for $1.2G.  It'll be
> 17,000 miles long, 5Gbps, and carry 320,000 "voice and other messages".
> That looks like only 16Kbps per circuit (which looks low).  The
> current longest cable is a 9,000 mile one from France to Singapore,
> completed a year ago.

> Fun math: That works out to a capital cost per circuit of only $3750.
> Assume that a phone call from Britain to Japan costs $2/minute.  If
> all 320,000 channels were in continuous use, then the cable would be
> paid for in the first 31 hours.

> Alternatively, if we assumed that the cable is good for ten years,
> or 100,000 hours, then amortizing the capital cost would be three
> cents per hour, or $5e-4/minute.  This is a factor of 4,000 less
> than the price of the call.

      The numbers for the newer transantlatic cables look like that,
too. You really should be able to buy a full-time transatlantic
circuit for about $100/month, and at the rate cable is being laid, you
probably soon will.

      Not having to acquire property rights is a big win. Fortunately,
the UN didn't think of this for the Law of the Sea conference.


John Nagle

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

From: [e-mail] (Michael Israeli)
Subject: Re: Long Dial Tone Holds [Was DMS-100 vs 5ESS]
Date: 29 Dec 1994 15:38:20 GMT
Organization: Net Access in Philadelphia, PA


> Here in Montgomery County, MD, dialing 1 301 *67 just gets silence as the
> switch waits for more digits.

At my 5ESS switch in Pennsylvania 610-525 (served by Bell Atlantic),
if you try to dial 1 301 *67, the second you hit the *, you get a fast
busy.

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

From: [e-mail] (Gordon Baldwin)
Subject: Re: Watching The Area Codes Split
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 15:39:44 PST



>     Date       Event

> 1)  1/7/95     AC 630 overlayed on ACs 312 and 708 (Chicago metro area)
> 2)  1/15/95    AC 334 splits from AC 205 (Alabama)
> 3)  1/15/95    AC 360 splits from AC 206 (Washington)
> 4)  3/??/95    AC 562 overlayed on ACs 213, 310 and 818 (Los Angeles metro)
> 5)  3/1/95     AC 281 overlayed on AC 713 (Houston metro area)
> 6)  3/19/95    AC 520 splits from AC 602 (Arizona)
> 7)  4/2/95     AC 970 splits from AC 303 (Denver metro area)
> 8)  5/28/95    AC 941 splits from AC 813 (Florida)
> 9)  7/15/95    AC 540 splits from AC 703 (Virginia)
> 10) 9/1/95     AC 423 splits from AC 615 (Tennessee)
> 11) 10/??/95   AC 770 splits from or overlayed on AC 404 (Atlanta metro area)
> 12) 10/1/95    AC 441 splits from AC 809 (Bermuda & Bahamas)
> 13) 10/??/96   AC 803 splits from AC 203 (Connecticut)
> 14) ??/??/??   AC 954 splits from AC 305 (Florida)

snip

> 3) 360 will contain Bellingham, Olympia, Vancouver
>    206 will retain Auburn, Bellevue, Bremerton, Everett, Redmond, Seattle,
>        Tacoma
>    Permissive period ends 7/9/95

 From The US West phone book for Olympia WA, the permissive dialing
ends May 21, 1995. From our company newsletter it had to be moved up
because of a critical shortage of phone numbers.

>> Area code 206 is now like the Chicago (312/708) situation.  360 will
>> surround 206.  Once 360 takes effect, 206 will become the Seattle,
>> Tacoma, and possibly Everett (and surrounding areas) with the rest of
>> what was 206 becoming 360.  At least that's my understanding.

snip

> As for Seattle, I don't know; if places like Port Townsend and Oak
> Harbor will be in 360, then 360 will 360 around 206 the way 706 does
> around 404 or, for now, 409 does around 713.

Again from the map in the US West phone book Port Townsend and Oak
Harbor will be in 360. 206 goes from just north of Everett to just
south of Tacoma and includes Puyallup, Bellevue and it looks like
Vashon Island.  360 will cover the rest of the old 206 area code. 360
will cover about four times more land than 206. 360 will include
Bellingham, Bremerton, Port Townsend, Centralia and other points south
and west. 206 will be completely surrounded by 360 unless you count
the Puget Sound. There is a path to the ocean via Puget Sound that is
not defined to be in an area code (but 360 is on both banks).  Also to
the east of Seattle the towns of Issaquah, Redmond, and other points
east are divided somewhere. I don't know the exact line, but I would
bet that it is just east of Issaquah.


Gordon Baldwin   [e-mail]   Olympia Washington

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #474
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #475

TELECOM Digest     Fri, 30 Dec 94 01:10:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 475

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: AMPS Specifications For Data (Jeffrey Rhodes)
    Re: MCI and the Future of the Internet (Charles W. Cooper II)
    Re: Watching the Area Codes Split (John Lundgren)
    Re: Watching the Area Codes Split (Robert Casey)
    Re: 500 Service Turned on, Sort of (Bob VanDenburgh)
    Re: Telephone Directory for Entire United States? (Tim Jowers)
    Re: ISDN Internet Access (L.S. Ng)
    Re: ISDN in the US (James Bellaire)
    FCC Equal Access Report Available (Alan Boritz)
    France Telephony Update (Erik Mueller)
    New Year's Eve Party on the Internet (TELECOM Digest Editor)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
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On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
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Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual
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*************************************************************************
*   TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the              *
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should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Jeffrey Rhodes)
Subject: Re: AMPS Specifications For Data
Date: 29 Dec 1994 18:04:33 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail]


In article [e-mail], [e-mail] (WOLFF_RUSSELL_R) writes:

> I'm looking for information on data transmission in the AMPS cellular
> system.  Any information you have, or any books you know of, on the
> specifics of the way the data control channels in the AMPS system
> operate would help me very much.

"Mobile Cellular Telecommunications Systems" by William C. Y. Lee is
how I learned about AMPS control signals.

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

From: Charles W. Cooper II <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: MCI and the Future of the Internet
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 11:02:34 -0800
Organization: Northwest Nexus Inc.


On Tue, 20 Dec 1994, Sean Doran wrote:

> I posit that the oldest provider of the type of connectivity which led
> to the commercial Internet is UUNET, which ramped up in 1987 as a UUCP
> provider.  AlterNet, their commercial Internet service, is more recent
> (1990), as are those offerings of their competitors.

> The CIX was established in March 1991, and it represented the first
> real time when the various providers of commercial internetworking
> were able to intercommunicate without using the NSFNET backbone
> service, thus marking the first step towards making "the major
> foundation of the Internet" past tense.


Hmmm ... somehow the ANSnet is missing in this description ...


TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: It might be claimed there are a lot of
factors and parts missing in the description given. ANSnet is one,
but there are others. So many, many people and organizations and
institutions have made the Internet what it is today as we come to
the end of another year. All deserve thanks, yet who could begin
to name them all, and their contributions?     PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: Watching the Area Codes Split
Date: 29 Dec 1994 20:23:35 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


Steve Grandi ([e-mail]) wrote:

> One of the great spectator sports of 1995 will be watching lots and lots
> of new Area Codes (or more precisely, NPA codes) come into existence.

It all looks like a lot of confusion to me, but it seems like people
are going crazy with using up phone numbers.  Take our organization, for
example.  Everything in the prefix (714) 564-4xxx, 5xxx, and 6xxx
belongs to us even tho we may only use half of those numbers.

But then there are those damn pagers.  Mine has its own number, then
there is my home number, my work number, my modem number, and the
other numbers that people call to get my co-workers.  And this doesn't
even touch the dozens of numbers that we have dedicated to just a
single purpose, such as our voice response phone registration system.
Rampant Proliferation! (TM) But to save a few dollars, we order
numbers not in the above prefixes, since they are centrex and cost a
few dollars month more.  So we have a hundred or so non-centrex
numbers.

It used to be simple, where you lived determined what area code your
number was in.  But what's going to happen, now that a single location
has more than one area code??  Yikes!  Someday there might just be a
database that has your name, and the number associated with it, and
all people will have to do is punch up your name, and not have to
worry about a number.  And it will be current.  I've already got my
name on my number, it's (714) JOHN-GAB.


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Robert Casey)
Subject: Re: Watching the Area Codes Split
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services (408-241-9760 login: guest)
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 06:38:35 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> Neal McLain <[e-mail].
edu> writes:

> My question: given that all three cities are centers of rapidly-growing
> metro areas, why not a three-way split:

>     Nashville retains 615.

>     Knoxville gets 423.

>     Chattanooga gets something else.

Suppose area code 666 is to be asigned somewhere, maybe in the Bible
Belt.  (there's some sort of connection with 666 with the devil).
Just imagine all the complaints you'll hear if this happens.

Would Bellcore really worry about this sort of sillyness when
assigning area codes?


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, for quite a long time after
equal access started a decade ago, no carrier was assigned to the
access code 10666. Eventually some carrier was given that code.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Bob VanDenburgh)
Subject: Re: 500 Service Turned on, Sort of
Date: 29 Dec 1994 23:45:49 GMT
Organization: Network Access Services


John Levine ([e-mail]) wrote:

> {Network World} reports that AT&T's 500 service tariff went into
> service at the end of last week. But before people can actually use
> 500 numbers, local telcos have to program their switches to know how
> to route 500 calls.

What is 500 service?


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: 500 service is now being commonly referred
to as 'follow me service'. It is a method by which you can program your
own personal area code 500 number to ring at whatever actual telephone you
want -- wherever you happen to be -- thus freeing the caller from needing
to know several numbers where he *might* reach you. You can have your
pager, your cellular phone, your office phone, your home phone and even
the payphone in the McDonald's parking lot -- the one the Good Citizens
monitor closely in the War on Drugs -- programmed into your 500 service.
Vanity numbers are available so that all your friends need to know is
they can always reach you by dialing (for example) 1-500-CALL-TOM. Unlike
AT&T's older Easy Reach service on 'area code' 700, by using the 500 code
all the telcos will universally recognize the number and deal with it
appropriately -- at least we think so.      PAT]

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

From: Tim Jowers <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Telephone Directory for Entire United States?
Organization: AT&T Global Information Solutions, Columbia SC
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 16:30:03 GMT


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Benjamin P. Carter)
writes:

> [e-mail] (Trent Stevens) writes:

>> Is there such a thing?  I've already found one for Switzerland, but
>> one for the US would also be great, and less prone to obsolescence
>> than the typical CD-ROM directories that are out now.

> Just for the fun of it, let's do a simple estimate of the size of such

Just for more fun, if one wants to call everyone in the USA but waste
as little time as possible, what area codes or other blocks of numbers
should be skipped?

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

From: [e-mail] (L S Ng)
Subject: Re: ISDN Internet Access
Date: 29 Dec 1994 11:11:36 -0600
Organization: UTexas Mail-to-News Gateway


What is ISDN? Here is my definition:

The old telephone line is a pair of copper wires with a 3.5kHz low
pass filter attached at the local exchange/central office.

ISDN is the same old pair of copper wires with the low pass filter
removed!

And the telephone companies charged you heavily (in some countries)
for removing the low pass filter.

The low pass filter serves two functions:

1. (original) remove high frequency noise to improve signal to noise
ratio in speech (also anti-aliasing etc.)

2. (now) limit the bandwidth hence channel capacity (bit rate) you can
get over the same old pair of copper wire.

This is the evil intention of telephone companies. 3.5kHz will give
you at most 30kbps capacity assuming about 10bits/Hz at 26 dB signal
to noise ratio (signal 400 times stronger than noise) [ Use Shannon's
formula:

  channel capacity (bps) = Bandwidth x log2 (1 + SNR)
]

So by simply removing the 3.5kHz LPF, you get much wider bandwidth,
and hence higher bit rate.  The practical maximum you can get is a few
Mega bits per second.  192kbps for ISDN is nothing!! And yet the evil
telephone companies charge you hefty sum for just that! Some telephone
companies have already planned to use the capacity to transmit
video/broadcast TV.  So don't you believe they already have this
technology and they want to hold it back for making more money? Last
month, British Telecom's plan for broadcast TV over the old phone line
was blocked by the British government. This is a sound proof that they
already have the technology to give it cheaply to consumers.

Telephone consumers are fooled by the evil telephone companies because
it is very easy to get fooled in this extremely complicated business
full of jargons which serve this purpose!


L S Ng    Southampton

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

Date: Thu, 29 Dec 94 08:27 EST
From: [e-mail] (James Bellaire)
Subject: Re: ISDN in the US


L.S.Ng wrote in vol14 #469:

> [Much deleted before and after...]        Each T1 link is essentially
> either a copper pair or an coaxial cable. The reason why T1 can run at
> 1.5Mbps plus whereas your ordinary telephone line can run only at
> 30kbps is because of a low pass filter! Low pass filters are inserted
> at the end of the ordinary telephone lines for two reasons: to improve
> speech quality and (more importantly) to limit your modem speed!

My understanding is that BRI ISDN is 192Kbps service over two wires.
T1 is run over four wires at 1.5Mbps (one pair for transmit, one pair
for recieve).  At least thats how it was set up where I worked.
Remember that your modem is a MOdulator DEModulator that converts
ANALOG signals found on the phone lines to DIGITAL signals found in
your computer.  BRI ISDN and T1 are DIGITAL services that require no
DIGITAL to ANALOG transition.  Your modem is also interfering with
itself by placing noise (outgoing analog data) on the same two wires
that it is trying to discern the incomming message (more analog data).
More after I quote again ...

> Has anyone ever used/seen a PRI? The above is just a guess because I
> have not seen/used one. PRI/T1 are, I heard, usually run over 2 copper
> pairs (4 wires). This means that your ordinary telephone line should
> at least be able to run at 1 Mbps per pair. And ISDN Basic Rate (BRI)
> runs at 192kbps. The telephone company wants you to pay different
> prices for services over the same old pair of copper wire.

As I mentioned earlier, I have seen a T1.  Looks like two pair of
wires.  (Sarcasm off.)  It is what the telephon company is doing at
the other end of the pair that gets them the big bucks (or heavy
pounds in your case, refering to your UK address :-) .)  My normal
telephone line is constantly checked to see if it is off-hook, if it
is a dial tone is provided and they have to understand either pulses
or DMTF signalling as to where to send my call.  Then they have to
look up my default LD carrier (if not in my LATA) connect me to them
and pass on my dialing instructions.  Not a bad service for under 20
US$ per month.  ISDN is a DIGITAL dialup system.  My digital equipment
speaks directly to their digital equiptment.  The connection is not
slowed by modems at each end of the conversation.  Think of your modem
as a slow router, an ISDN card as a faster router.  DIGITAL connection
is what makes the difference between the old dialup and ISDN, not the
removal of a low bypass filter.  BTW the T1 connection I worked with
was a leased conection between two manufacturing plants, carrying
links for voice and three separate computer systems.


[e-mail]    James E. Bellaire
[e-mail]     [e-mail]

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

Subject: FCC Equal Access Report Available
From: drharry![e-mail] (Alan Boritz)
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 94 08:36:11 EST
Organization: Harry's Place - Mahwah NJ - [phone]


 From the Federal Communications Commission ftp site (ftp.fcc.gov), apparently
released 12/23/94 (file eqanews.txt):

FCC RELEASES REPORT ON TELEPHONE LINES AND OFFICES CONVERTED TO EQUAL ACCESS

     The FCC has released a staff report entitled Telephone Lines and Offices
Converted To Equal Access.

     Equal access allows customers to place long distance calls with
the interexchange carrier of their choice without the need to dial as
many as 14 extra digits.

     At the end of 1993, Bell Operating Companies had converted 99.6%
of their lines to equal access.  Other companies had converted 89.1%
of their lines.  Overall, 97.1% of the nation's lines have been
converted to equal access.

     The report also contains historical information on the number of
lines converted to equal access.  There is also a table showing, by
state, the local exchange companies and their lines with and without
equal access for year ended December 31, 1993.

      Attached to the summary is a customer response survey form, upon
which recipients and users of the report are encouraged to record
their comments and suggestions.  The survey is part of the Industry
Analysis Division's ongoing effort to improve its publications and
thereby better serve the public.

     The report is available for reference in the Industry Analysis
Division's Reference Room, Common Carrier Bureau, 1250 23rd Street,
N.W., Plaza Level.  Copies may be purchased by calling International
Transcription Services, Inc.  (ITS) at [phone]. The report can
also be downloaded from the FCC-State Link computer bulletin board
system at [phone] [BBS file name EQACC- 94.ZIP].


   FCC

     For additional information, contact Katie Rangos of the Common Carrier
Bureau's Industry Analysis Division, [phone].


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

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

Date: 29 Dec 1994 22:40:48 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Erik Mueller)
Organization: FranceNet
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: France Telephony Update


Here's a telephony update from France -

1. France goes 100% "electronic"

According to an article in {Le Monde} (December 29, 1994, p. 9), the
last French crossbar central office was retired from service on
December 6th.  The electromechanical switch, located in Givors, near
Lyon, was replaced by an Alcatel E 10. This means that France's 31.6
million subscribers are now served 100% by stored-program controlled
central offices, and 90% by digital offices.

The crossbar switches used in France were the Pentaconta, for
large-city applications, manufactured by LMT and the CGCT (ITT
subsidiaries), and the smaller CP 400, manufactured by the CIT (a
French Ericsson subsidiary) and the AOIP. 85% of the switches now in
service are manufactured by Alcatel and 15% by Matra Ericsson.

(For more information on the history of telephone switching in France,
see: Mireille Nouvion, L'automatisation du reseau telephonique francais,
Part I, Telecommunications 50, January 1984, Part II, Telecommunications 52,
July 1984, France Telecom, Paris.)

2. French numbering plan change edges closer.

According to a telephone-bill insert provided by France Telecom in
August 1994, France will convert in Spring 1996 to a uniform 10-digit
numbering plan. A 2-digit area code will be added to the front of the
existing 8-digit numbers. The area codes will be:

    01  Ile-de-France (Paris, ...)
    02  Northwest France
    03  Northeast France
    04  Southeast France
    05  Southwest France

(Note that these assignments are different from what I previously reported
in Message-ID <[e-mail]>.)

Currently, customers calling the provinces from Paris dial 16 + 8
digits, while customers in the provinces calling Paris dial 16 + 1 + 8
digits.  After the change, the same 10 digits will be dialed from all
locations within the country. The insert does not specify whether the
initial zero will be used when dialing into France (country code 33).

The 19 international access code will also be replaced by 00.

(For more information on France's numbering plan, see: Claude Perardel,
Numero s'il vous plait, France Telecom, Paris, 1985 and the files
ftp://lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives/country.codes/zone.3.codes.32-34
ftp://lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives/country.codes/zone.3.france.33.comments)

3. Telecommunications museums in France.

The Museum of Telecommunications in Pleumeur Bodou, Bretagne, includes
telephones, switchboards, telegraphs, teletypes, and satellites.
Adjoining the museum are the original Radome used to send the first
television pictures via the Telstar satellite from France to the
United States, and several large satellite dishes still in service.

There is a small telephone exhibit at the City of Sciences and
Industry at Parc de la Villette in Paris.


[e-mail]

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

Date: Fri, 30 Dec 94 00:36:52 CST
From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest Editor)
Subject: New Year's Eve Party on the Internet


Attend 31 separate New Year's parites this year for one low cover price
by partying on the Information Superhighway ...

That's the message I got on my fax machine a few days ago from the
folks at Concentric Research Corporation.  Concentric is home to the
BBS Direct service, which links several computer bulletin boards
together via its Concentric Network.

No special software is required to attend the 'party'. If you have a
modem and terminal/computer all you need to do is dial in and ring in
the new year with people from all over the world.

Concentric plans to have international time clocks on the screens of
its users so that every hour you'll be ringing in the new year somewhere
around the world.

All the various systems which are part of the Concentric Network have
agreed to waive their online charges on Saturday, December 31. All you
have to pay for is Concentric Network access itself, which is at the
rate of five dollars per hour if you wish to use the toll-free 800
number established for this purpose. Network access is thirty dollars
per month, however my understanding is you can use the 800 number at
the rate of five dollars per hour instead if desired.

To connect with the New Year's Eve party, set your modem to N-8-1 and
dial 800-991-4227. During the online signup proceedure you will then
be given the local number in your community to call and further
instructions. If you already have Internet access, then you can
connect via telnet to cris.com. The regular monthly fee for telnet
access to Concentric is ten dollars per month.

For more information by voice, call 800-745-2747. They'll be accepting
phone calls all day Friday at both 800 numbers to get people signed up
who wish to join the party on Saturday.

As Marc Collins-Rector, president of Concentric Research explained it,
this is one New Year's Eve when you don't have to worry about drunken
drivers on the highway ... not on the Information Superhighway that is.

This is unique; something different. Readers who otherwise will be
staying at home over the weekend might like to visit the online party
at some point Saturday afternoon/evening and join the festivities
around the world.


Happy New Year!


Patrick Townson

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #475
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
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To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #476

TELECOM Digest     Fri, 30 Dec 94 02:08:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 476

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    MobilMedia Paging's "Hidden" Charges and RUDE Service (Doug Reubens)
    Need Information on IDT Free Offer ([e-mail])
    Digital Cellular Phone Purchase Advice (Joel Sumner)
    Zsigo Cellular Data Workshop ([e-mail])
    Re: MFS Intelenet Applies to Provide Local Phone Service (Russell Nelson)
    It's Here Again! FCC/Modem Tax (Stephen Goodman)
    New Telecom Server ([e-mail])
    Pinouts on RJ11 Plugs on Modems (Lockie Martin)
    Brad's AT&T 9120 - Broken? (Brad Hicks)
    19 Inch Network Relay Rack ([e-mail])
    Mobile & Paging Internet Sources (David Goessling)
    Re: '500' Numbers Finally Available (Jack Hamilton)
    Questions About Fax/Voice Modems and Dual-Mode Modems (Venkat Thirumalai)
    TIA-Telecom Industry Association (Steve Evans)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
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Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual
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should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (CID Tech/INSG)
Subject: MobilMedia Paging's "Hidden" Charges and RUDE service
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 01:11:28 GMT


Just when it seems that I've found the perfect paging company -- one
who our firm may want to do business with in the future on a much
larger scale -- I get an OUTRAGEOUS bill from MobileMedia Paging.

Normally, I pay around $35 per month, receive NY-Boston-CT Valley
service, get 250 alpha pages, 250 numeric pages, and 25 Human
Dispatched pagers (ie, where you call and dictate the message),
rental, and insurance all included. Overpages (I thought) were 25
cents each, which seems pretty standard in the industry, and I
sometimes hit an additional $50 in overpages.

I just got my bill today, and they charged me $530 for a month's service
due to overpages! In a little note at the end they state:

    "Effective January 1st, 1994, self-dispatch overcalls are being
         billed in 80 character increments, to be called "blocks" "

(Yes, that's 1994, NOT 1995!)

They then go on to explain that blocks are billed at *50 cents* each,
and you can have up to three "blocks" per page (if you have long pages),
thus a total of $1.50 per page.

Now note that they NEVER mentioned this little block thing before --
I've been a customer since August 1994, a good SIX MONTHS after the
plan was implemented, and NEVER, not once, did I ever see anything
about that mentioned on my bills. That little block statement was
NEVER sent to me, period!

Moreover, when I signed up, my sales rep (Lynn Seymour in Columbia MD)
never mentioned this "block" thing at all. Indeed, on the contract
which I signed and have right beside me, it says:

        Contract Term: 12 months (starting Aug 1st, 1994)
                Additional Message Charge:
                           -Max Pages allowed: 250
                           -Over Maximum: $.25 each
                Alpha Dispatch at 1-800-225-0256 (the human transcribers)
                           -25 calls for $7.95, and $.50 thereafter.

That's it! This contract was presented to me and signed by both Lynn
as a rep of Mobilmedia and myself, and NO MENTION whatsoever is given
at all to this "block" deal, although they stand to make over six times
the amount per overpage than they would if they had maintained the
terms of my contract.

Note also that I called around to a LOT of carriers, got their rates,
checked all the overpage prices, etc., and EVERY inquiry which I made
with MobileMedia never resulted in my being informed of this block
policy, which again was apparently in place SIX MONTHS before I made
my first call to them.

Armed with all this, and some knowledge of contract law, I called
their customer service and figured I would politely ask them to simply
adhere to their contract with me, or if they couldn't, fine, there are
other paging services; they would just credit me the rest of my
contract, not bill me for the $500 in overpages which I had no
expectation to believe that I would be charged, and MobileMedia and I
(and our paging service) would part company, never to do business
again.

Well, I spoke with "Shiela" at Customer Service. (1-800-332-8832,
"number" 6332, if you want to be told off by one of the rudest
customer service representatives -- no, let me correct that -- rudest
PERSON I have ever had the displeasure of speaking to in my life)

"Shiela" (if that's her name) had the attitude that no matter what,
the charge is correct. When I told her I was promised 250 alpha/250
numeric in my plan, she said "We NEVER offer that!", even though it
says so on my contract and my previous bills reflect this. When I made
her aware of this fact, she snidely said "Well, read some more, it
also says 25 pages and 50 cents after that." I informed her that was
for alpha (human) not self (modem) dispatch. She still insisted the
bill was correct.

When I told her "Look, even if we ARE talking about alpha (human)
dispatch, and even IF I only had 25 pages instead of what was promised
to me (250), and even IF they were billed at 50 cents per overpage
(which is what the human dispatch costs), my bill would STILL be only
ONE-THIRD of what I am being charged." So Shiela tells me "Well,
you'll need to talk to Lynn ... I don't know what she told you, but
that's wrong ..." Ok, Ok ... I figure I'll call Lynn, Lynn will
transfer me back to customer service, and I can at least tell Shiela or
whoever that I "called Lynn".

However, right when I am about to ask Shiela to pull my contract, and
send it to Lynn, I don't get three words out and she snaps "Look, if you
are going to take an attitude with ME I don't want to deal with you,
just go talk to Lynn or whoever else wants to help you!". I  immediately
asked for her manager (no one in, "skeleton crew"), but got her name,
number, said "Thank You" (dumb, eh?) and hung up.

I'm not sure what promulgated that remark, but the sheer audacity of
Shiela to complain to me about MY "attitude" (whatever it was, I just
wanted my bill corrected) when she in fact didn't seem to understand
what I was talking about nor did she even seem to care anyhow is
simply shocking and an outrage!

I intend to demand a written apology from her for such uncalled for
behavior, and of course then get on to the business of getting my bill
corrected to reflect my explicit and unqualified contract with
MobileMedia.  (Not to mention a complete account of all my pages so I
can match them up with our TAP/IXO records here and see if I am
getting the promised 250 "free" pages per month.)

The fact that MobileMedia suddenly starts billing for "blocks" without
much if any notice already indicates something is wrong with the
company.  You simply do not go do something which dramatically raises
customers' rates without more than ample notice, especially if these
same customers have current contracts with MobileMedia which clearly
do not in any way reflect these rates.

However, there is something even more seriously wrong with MobileMedia
if service persons such as Shiela are allowed to continue to be
employed there. Her entire attitude and thoroughly uncalled for
comments to me not only have no place in business, but in any form of
civilized society as well.

In closing, all I can say is that MobileMedia will have to do
something VERY generous for me if they ever expect to retain me as a
customer (and even then I may leave). If they can afford to give up
$100 per month customers (based on my past overpages), as well as
whatever bulk business which my company would have given to them in
the near future (those familiar with my company will understand that
it could have been a lot), then great!  Keep it up guys! All I can say
is you have a lot of either stupid or unaware customers if you manage
to pass this "block" policy off as a "done-deal" even when there are
outstanding contracts to the contrary.  As to the personell you
employ, well, if they are all like Shiela, then maybe you are better
off having your service lines busy all the time...

A thoroughly disgraceful performance, MobileMedia, you should be
ashamed! :(


Doug
[e-mail]     CID Technologies/Interpage NSG        (203) 499 - 5221
*FTP to: 'ftp.netcom.com', pub/ci/cidtech for MacPager Call ID->Pager Demo*
*WWW to: http://interpage.net for info on our E-Mail to ANY Pager gateway*
*Telnet to: interpage.net, login as "guest" for Interpage demo and info.*

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Need Information on IDT Free Offer
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 94 13:35:33 PDT


I have recently received a couple of faxed offers from a company named
IDT (International Discount Telecom) in which they are offering FREE
E-mail and Internet access services.  Of course the catch looks like I
have to subscribe to them for my long-distance services as well.
Either I can switch to IDT, or keep my current carrier by joining
IDT's "purchasing groups."

Can anyone provide me with more information about IDT?  What are they
really selling?  Are they just shell accounts or full PPP/SLIP?
What's the catch?

Anyone with experience or information about IDT please post a reply
here, or E-mail me at [e-mail].


Thanks for your help!

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

From: oakhill![e-mail] (Joel Sumner)
Subject: Digital Cellular Phone Purchase Advice
Organization: Motorola Semiconductor Products
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 15:36:53 GMT


Hi there,

I have a friend in California who is looking to purchase a digital
cellular phone.  Since CA phone companies can't subsidize the phone,
he of course has to purchase one. He has a few questions.

1) What is the current state of the TDMA vs CDMA war? Which type of phone
would you buy and why?

2) Can you recommend a quality provider in the San Fran, Oakland area?

3) Where should he go to purchase the phone? The provider or are there
"warehouses", etc ... which sell phones only?

(Obviously, I don't work for Mot Cellular or I would know this already ;-)


Thanks,

(please e-mail, I'll summarize...)


Joel Sumner    Motorola Semiconductor Products
Data Communications  [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (ThomasN100)
Subject: Zsigo Cellular Data Workshop
Date: 29 Dec 1994 11:50:20 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Reply-To: [e-mail] (ThomasN100)


Cellular Data Workshop - V in New Orleans January 31 and 31, 1995.  Two
days before CTIA.

Call Zsigo Wireless Data Consultants, Inc at 1-800-594-5102 or E-MAIL
us at [e-mail] for more information or to make your
reservations

Cellular Data Workshop V takes a very hard look at what it will take
to be successful with CDPD.  It will incorporate market research,
practical experiences and ideas gathered from cellular carriers around
the US and Canada.  Konstantin Zsigo, one of the early pioneers in
advancing cellular data, will lead this interactive, two-day seminar,
in special association with Wireless Connect, Inc.

Attendance is limited, in order to preserve group dynamics.  Together
we will look at the implications of instituting data-specific pricing,
vertical marketing, sales cycles and competitive technologies.  We
will look carefully at what it will take to effectively sell CDPD
applications, the expected return on those investments of time and
capital, and what has been learned from other wireless data networks.

Bottom line:  How can your organization be profitable?  When will it
happen?  What kind of commitment will it take?

Who should be there?

In keeping with the unique style of the Zsigo Workshops, this two-day
seminar will be very interactive and discussion-oriented.  With a
limited class size, attendees become active participants, voicing
concerns, offering opinions and sharing experiences.  As a group, we
will tackle the issues one by one.

Each market is different, and strategies which work in one area may
not work well in another.  The diversity of the group will be an
asset, as differing points of view lead to creative new solutions to
your specific challenges.

The audience will consist mainly of cellular data specialists, sales
managers, marketing associates, and manufacturers of cellular data
equipment.  The manufacturers, in particular, add tremendous insight
to the selling process.  By interacting with carriers in a forum such
as this, they not only get input on how their products are perceived
in the marketplace, but they can also share their ideas on how to
stimulate sales.

Schedule:

January 30 - 8:30-12:00  opening by  Konstantin Zsigo
1.  Criteria to Judge the Network
a. Capacity and speed
b. Lifecycle costs
c. Service coverage profile
d. Application developer support

2.  Competitive analysis of Ardis, RAM Mobile, AMSC, and Metricom

3.  Marketing analysis - how have RAM and Ardis sold data?
a. Target market profiles
b. Necessary service attributes
c. Projected CDPD market share
d. Opportunity window

January 30 - 1:00-5:00  -  Wireless Connect, Inc.
4.  CDPD Network Basics
a. System Characteristics
b. Network Elements
c. Basics of IP
d. Addressing scheme
e. Basic Internet Terms:  WWW, FTP, Mosaic, etc.
f. Economic incentives to use IP
g.  Application interfaces to CDPD

5.  CDPD Modems
a. Modem features
b. Transmit power, battery life, duplex, diversity
c. Connection types:  TCP, UDP, SLIP
d. Typical applications versus modem types

January 31 - 8:30-4:00    -   Konstantin Zsigo
6.  Setting up the CDPD business
a. managing a CDPD program
b. Projecting roll-outs and sales cycles

7.  Marketing a CDPD program
a. Customer awareness seminars
b. Presentations to key accounts
c. Understanding customer issues
d. Handling security concerns
e. Setting a pricing strategy
f. Managing customer trials

8.  Driving sales on the CDPD network
a. Attracting application developers
b. Education requirements and certification
c. Lead-generation programs
d. Technical support requirements

9.  Leveraging the existing sales channel
a. Obstacles to overcome
b. Compensation strategies
c. Creating a dedicated sales group

We hope we see you there.

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

From: [e-mail] (Russell Nelson)
Subject: Re: MFS Intelenet Applies to Provide Local Phone Service in Ohio
Date: 29 Dec 1994 19:33:34 GMT
Organization: Crynwr Software


In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Nigel Allen)
writes:

> The press release says that MFS intends to provide local and long
> distance service to medium and small business customers, but doesn't
> say anything about residential customers.

> This will provoke the usual arguments about "cream-skimming" (that is,
> that MFS is interested only in serving the most profitable customers),

Problem is that the local telco owns the wires to people's houses.  So
how to connect directly to residences?  You'd have to run your own
wires, which probably can't be done since many poles have no more room
on them, which means putting in new poles, which is unpopular with the
local government OR ELSE figure out how to connect a telephone to a
cable system, and build the entire infrastructure (don't forget to
replace those unidirectional modems with bidirectional modems).

Basically, in order to provide telephone competition, we need to
nationalize the local loop, and force the dialtone providers to allow
people to connect to their wires.

Being an anarchist, I loathe the idea, but it's less bad than the idea
of forcing everyone to choose one telephone company.


russ <[e-mail]>    http://www.crynwr.com/crynwr/nelson.html
Crynwr Software   11 Grant St.   [phone] (9201 FAX)
Potsdam, NY 13676

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

Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 19:02 EST
From: Stephen Goodman <[e-mail]>
Subject: Its Here Again! FCC/Modem Tax


Pat,

This was sent to me on a local BBS (actually was sent as a broadcast
to all the BBS's users).  Thought I would pass it along.  I was not
aware this had come up again ... were you?


[e-mail]

  DATE: 6:29 am  Mon Dec 19, 1994        MSG #  : 96 of 100
  FROM: Kenn Webster                     AREA   : ITC Door Support
  TO  : All                              REFER #: None
  SUBJ: Your phone bill may go up        REPLiES: None
  STAT: SENT                             ORIGIN : 15 Dec 94  11:59:00


I am just posting this because i think you might be interested in
reading this.

Two years ago the FCC tried and (with your help and letters of
protest) failed to institute regulations that would impose additional
costs on modem users for data communications.  Now, they are at it
again. A new regulation that the FCC is quietly working on will
directly affect you as the user of a computer and modem. The FCC
proposes that users of modems should pay extra charges for use of the
public telephone network which carry their data. In addition, computer
network services such as CompuServ, Tymnet, & Telenet would also be
charged as much as $6.00 per hour per user for use of the public
telephone network. These charges would very likely be passed on to the
subscribers. The money is to be collected and given to the telephone
company in an effort to raise funds lost to deregulation.  Jim Eason
of KGO newstalk radio (San Francisco, CA) commented on the proposal
during his afternoon radio program during which, he said he learned of
the new regulation in an article in the New York Times. Jim took the
time to gather addresses which are given below.

Here's what you should do (NOW!):

1-Pass this information on. Capture the information which contains
the text you are reading now. Find other BBS's that are not carrying
this  information. Upload the ASCII text into public message on the
BBS, and  also upload the file itself so others can easily get a
copy to pass along.

2-Print out three copies of the letter which follows (or write your
down) and send a signed copy to each of the following:

Chairman of the FCC
1919 M Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554

Chairman, Senate Communication Subcommittee
SH-227 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510

Chairman, House Telecommunication Subcommittee
B-331 Rayburn Building

Here's the suggested text of the letter to send:

Dear Sir:

Please allow me to express my displeasure with the FCC proposal which
would authorize a surcharge for the use of modems on the telephone
network. This regulation is nothing less than an attempt to restrict
the free exchange of information among the growing number of computer
users. Calls placed using modems require no special telephone
equipment, and users of modems pay the phone company for use of the
network in the form of a monthly bill.

In short, a modem call is the same as a voice call and therefore
should not be subject to any additional regulation.


Sincerely,

It is important that you act now. The bureaucrats already have it in
their heads that modem users should subsidize the phone company and
are now listening to public comment. Please stand up and make it clear
that we will not stand for any government restriction on the free
exchange of information.

Please deal with this in a TIMELY manner. We can't wait and watch, or
we will
be walked over by government regulations that are trying to strangle
us.

Thanks,

Synchronet ~ NATIONAL PROCESS SERVERS BBS [phone]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: No, I was not aware that this had
come back again, and I strongly urge anyone reading this to be very
careful in investigating it *before you send off any letters to
anyone anywhere*.  It sounds like a replay of the same old crock
we went through two or three years ago .. or was it five years ago?
Come to think of it, is this the third or fourth time this thing
has sprung up?    PAT]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: New Telecom Server
Date: 29 Dec 1994 21:13:33 GMT
Organization: TZ-Link, a public-access online community in Nyack, NY.


Our company, Telematrix Communications, has recently opened a new site
on the World Wide Web called "telematrix.com." So far as we know, it's
the only site devoted entirely to telecommunications information and
we aim to become the main listening post and forum for people
interested in this field. Our target audience includes both
professionals and users of all sorts.

We are contacting you because we seek your input.  We would like to
know what telecommunications information or resources you want or need
that are not already readily available on the Internet. In addition,
we solicit your reaction to our site and suggestions for any
improvements.

At present, we have a free calendar of telecom events, new product
announcements, softwasre, practical "tips" on telecom cost savings,
newsletters, magazines and educational/training resources, plus much
more.

Telematrix.com can also be accessed by gopher, ftp and telnet.

Thank you for your interest.

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

From: [e-mail] (Lockie Martin)
Subject: Pinouts on RJ11 Plugs on Modems
Date: 30 Dec 1994 08:17:50 GMT
Organization: Internet Company of New Zealand


Can any of you telco people out there tell me the pinouts for the RJ11
plugs that appear on the back of most modems?

|------|
| 1234 |
|      |
|      |
|-|  |-|

ie which line performs what function? Is 3 the ringer?


Thanks in advance,


Lockie Martin ([e-mail])

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

From: /G=Brad/S=Hicks/OU1=[e-mail]
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 10:04:58 -0600
Subject: Brad's AT&T 9120 - Broken?


I have a roughly five month old AT&T 9120 digital cordless (900 MHz)
cordless phone.  I think it walks on water.  I love it.  I would buy
it again.  Except ...

Yesterday, something went wrong with it.  Now, the handset doesn't
work at all.  The charging light won't stay lit for more than a
second.  And when you press any key on the handset, the "Intercom"
light flashes slowly on and off.

Any idea what's wrong with it?  I can't find my manual; is there
something I can reset or some combination of buttons I can push to
bring it back to life?  And if not, is there anyone I can call at AT&T
for help or to complain?


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: In a second message just a few hours
after the first, Brad wrote again with this followup ...  PAT]


Oops.  I fixed my AT&T 9120 cordless phone; sorry for bothering y'all.

It turns out that while the handset was away from the base, one of my
guests unplugged the base (looking for a place to plug in a coffee
pot).  As a security feature, the first time an AT&T 9120 base station
is turned on it =demands= that the handset be in its cradle, so they
can resynchronize encryption keys.

I put the handset back in cradle, unplugged the powerline to the base
station, waited a few seconds, and then plugged it back in ... and voila!

That blinking "Intercom" light was =not= enough clue as to what was
wrong with the unit.  A gentle wrist-slap for AT&T for insufficient
user interface consideration.  (Me?  I would've put a low-res digital
recording in the firmware of the handset that would =at least= give an
audible error message.  Cost 'em what, another couple of bucks per
phone?)


J. Brad Hicks     Internet: mc![e-mail]
X.400: c=US admd=ATTMail prmd=MasterCard sn=Hicks gn=Brad

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: 19 Inch Network Relay Rack
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 12:19:26
Organization: Northern Telecom


Hello to everybody,

I need help of a person who know a US or Canadien supplier (name and
phone#) for the following type of equipment: Standard 19 inch widths
open frame rack (network relay rack with universal EIA hole spacing)
certified for earthquake Zone 4 (california).


Thanks,

Jocelyn

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

From: [e-mail]
Organization: Strategic Services of KPMG Peat Marwick
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 11:18:38 EST
Subject: Mobile & Paging Internet Sources


Anyone have a good list of Internet sources regarding mobile communications,
particularly paging and SMR?

There is a great web site with many source pointers for mobile computing:
http://snapple.cs.washington.edu:600/mobile/mobile_www.html

But it doesn't deal much with paging, nothing fro SMR.

Any ideas?


DMG

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

From: [e-mail] (Jack Hamilton)
Subject: Re: '500' Numbers Finally Available
Date: 29 Dec 1994 23:08:40 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access  [phone]  [Login: guest]


I called AT&T today to discuss the 500 number service, and was told four
things which weren't mentioned in the original article here:

- You must have AT&T as your long distance carrier.

I can't think of why this would be.  Isn't the point of 500 service
that you're not tied to a particular number?

- Although you can use your PIN number to make long distance calls at a
  fixed rate, there is a surcharge equivalent to the calling card fee if
  you call a number other than your home # or the # you are forwarded to.
  So you won't save money by using this service instead of your calling
  card.

- They count the number of times per day you change the forwarding phone,
  and if you exceed that number something happens (I don't know what).

- The PIN is only 4 digits long.  I'd much prefer a variable length PIN.


Does anyone have more details on the MCI or Ameritech programs?  Are
they basically similar?


Jack Hamilton  [e-mail]  KD6TTL  '92 K75RTA  co-moderator, sci.med.aids


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: The point is you are not tied to a particular
number -- not that you are not tied to a particular *carrier* ...   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Venkat Thirumalai)
Subject: Questions About Fax/Voice Modems and Dual-Mode Modems
Organization: Ohio University CS Dept,. Athens
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 01:12:43 GMT


Hi,

Could anyone reccommend/ clarify products for any of the following:

1. A fax / voice / data modem with software which handles voicemail,
faxes and faxbacks. (External preferably.)

    a. 14.4k one

    b. 28.8 VFC

    c. V.34

Hardware and software (windows based) can be from different vendors,
but a bundled package is preferred.

2. Any of the above modems, with Caller-ID information capability included.

(Would this capability be the same for ANI pickup, in case number being
rung is an 800 number?? If not which product for this??)

   B. Is it better to have caller-id cpability in a seperate unit??
How to tie it into a PC.?? ( Caller ID+ from Rochelle Comm.? )

3. Any modem with above cpabilities plus Dual-Mode (VoiceView) Technology
from Radish? If available are prices still in the stratosphere?

4. Any feedback on Spectrums Envoy or Office F/x modems? Do they handle
most of the above requirements?

Any suggestions/feedback is welcome.


Venkat   (614.592.5357)

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Evans)
Subject: TIA-Telecom Industry Association
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 15:07:33
Organization: bbn


Does anyone have a better phone number for the TIA-Telecom Industry
Association?  The phone number is "disconnected" per the phone co.
Maybe they changed their name, or address, or both, or?  I think it
was valid within the last year. Thanks!


Telecom Industry Association
2500 Wilson Blvd   Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201
Tel: [phone]   (NOT!)


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: What does directory assistance tell you
when you call 703-555-1212?   PAT]


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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #476
******************************


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Date: Fri, 30 Dec 94 11:57:08 CST
From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #477

TELECOM Digest     Fri, 30 Dec 94 11:57:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 477

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: 19 Inch Network Relay Rack (John Lundgren)
    Re: 19 Inch Network Relay Rack (Steven H. Lichter)
    Re: Its Here Again! FCC/Modem Tax (Stephen Goodman) (Charles McGuinness)
    Re: Its Here Again! FCC/Modem Tax (Bennett Z. Kobb)
    Re: Its Here Again! FCC/Modem Tax (John Lundgren)
    Re: Information Needed on Digital Interfaces/Protocols (Fred R. Goldstein)
    Re: 500 Numbers (Eric Paulak)
    Re: December Consumer Reports Article About Cordless Phones (Greg Bell)
    FM Subcarrier For Data Transmission (Bill McMullin)
    Direct Line Communications ([e-mail])
    Cellphone Radiation Danger? (Chuck Campbell)
    Searching for Cabling Contractors in Ohio (Andrew P. Dinsdale)
    Horizoon 16 Head (Ray Cotten)
    Roll Over/Hunt Group (Jon Zeeff)
    Metropolitan Area Networks in USA (Roman Rumian)
    Help: AT&T 510D Terminals (Jack Daniel)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual
readers. Write and tell us how you qualify:

                 * [e-mail] *

The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
or phone at:
                    9457-D Niles Center Road
                     Skokie, IL USA   60076
                       Phone: [phone]
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  ** Article submission address only: [e-mail] **

Our archives are located at lcs.mit.edu and are available by using
anonymous ftp. The archives can also be accessed using our email
information service. For a copy of a helpful file explaining how to
use the information service, just ask.

*************************************************************************
*   TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the              *
* International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland    *
* under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES)   *
* project.  Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-*
* ing views of the ITU.                                                 *
*************************************************************************

Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such
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is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per
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All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: 19 Inch Network Relay Rack
Date: 30 Dec 1994 15:10:50 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


[e-mail] wrote:

> I need help of a person who know a US or Canadien supplier (name and
> phone number) for the following type of equipment: Standard 19 inch widths
> open frame rack (network relay rack with universal EIA hole spacing)
> certified for earthquake Zone 4 (california).

Try Alltel.  I've never done any business with them but they have been
mentioned here.


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Steven H. Lichter)
Subject: Re: 19 Inch Network Relay Rack
Date: 30 Dec 1994 16:19:59 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)


There are two companies that I know of that make this type of item.
Hendry Telecom Products, located in Golita, Calif near Santa Barbara,
I don't know the number, but it is in the 805 area code and they
should also have an 800 number. I have used stuff made by them for
over 28 years and in 1971 after the San Fernando earthquake they were
able to get equipment to use very fast and they will make just about
anything that you have the money to pay for.

The other one is Saunders Brothers, they are located in Santa Fa
Springs near LA, which is 310 area code, they do have an 800 number,
but again I'm not at work where the number is located.

I tried to E-mail, but my mail bounced, so here is the reply in public
I hope it helps. By the way the new earthquake racks are really something.


Sysop: Apple Elite II -=- an Ogg-Net Hub BBS
Home of GBBS/LLUCE support
[phone] 12/24/14.4 V32/V42bis

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

Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 09:25:19 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Charles McGuinness)
Subject: Re: It's Here Again! FCC/Modem Tax (Stephen Goodman)


The interesting thing about the modem tax rumor is how technology is
changing things so such a modem "tax", were it to actually ever
happen, would be less relevant.  The point of the "tax", of course,
was to charge people who operated data networks the same fees that
people who operate voice networks pay for access to local switches.

But with the advent of public access internet sites, the whole
situation becomes murky.  If I call a local unix box, is that a "local
call" (as I might be sitting in elm and reading mail) or a "long
distance call" (as I might telnet to europe)?  There's no way to know,
and so no way to impose such a "tax" anymore.

And I doubt the incoming CyberSpeaker of the House would allow one
anyway ...


Charles McGuinness | JAM Product Manager    | JYACC Inc.
[e-mail]  | [phone] x 3026 | 116 John St, NY NY 10038

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

From: [e-mail] (Bennett Z. Kobb)
Subject: Re: Its Here Again! FCC/Modem Tax
Organization: New Signals Press
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 15:49:34 GMT


I did not see the article in the {New York Times} that was mentioned,
but I am at the FCC at least weekly and try to monitor what they are
doing.

The "modem tax" became an urban legend, like the "religious petition,"
that still floats around the net. The so-called "modem tax" actually
would have changed the way data networks pay local telcos for interconn-
ection, but that died in 1987-88 - not "two years ago" and is not
currently being resurrected to my knowledge. I get suspicious when the
poster of the legend doesn't cite the specific FCC docket or proceeding
they want everyone to get upset about.


Bennett Z. Kobb  [e-mail]
Editor and publisher   Spectrum Guide

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

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: Its Here Again! FCC/Modem Tax
Date: 30 Dec 1994 15:27:09 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


Stephen Goodman ([e-mail]) wrote:

> This was sent to me on a local BBS (actually was sent as a broadcast
> to all the BBS's users).  Thought I would pass it along.  I was not
> aware this had come up again ... were you?


> DATE: 6:29 am  Mon Dec 19, 1994        MSG #  : 96 of 100
> FROM: Kenn Webster                     AREA   : ITC Door Support
> TO  : All                              REFER #: None
> SUBJ: Your phone bill may go up        REPLiES: None
> STAT: SENT                             ORIGIN : 15 Dec 94  11:59:00

> I am just posting this because I think you might be interested in
> reading this.

> Two years ago the FCC tried and (with your help and letters of
> protest) failed to institute regulations that would impose additional
> costs on modem users for data communications.  Now, they are at it
> again. A new regulation that the FCC is quietly working on will
> directly affect you as the user of a computer and modem. The FCC

[Blah-blah deleted]

> It is important that you act now. The bureaucrats already have it in
> their heads that modem users should subsidize the phone company and
> are now listening to public comment. Please stand up and make it clear
> that we will not stand for any government restriction on the free
> exchange of information.

> Please deal with this in a TIMELY manner. We can't wait and watch, or
> we will be walked over by government regulations that are trying to
> strangle us.

>  Synchronet ~ NATIONAL PROCESS SERVERS BBS [phone]

LOOK:::

So many people have cried "WOLF!" so amany times that we're all damn
sick and tired of it.

If any of this gets posted, It should have *real* facts, not just some
rumor of someone seeing an article in the NY Times.  We WANT to see a
PERIODICAL NAME, DATE, SECTION, and PAGE NUMBER before ANY of us will
even consider taking any action.  Period.

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: No, I was not aware that this had
> come back again, and I strongly urge anyone reading this to be very
> careful in investigating it *before you send off any letters to
> anyone anywhere*.  It sounds like a replay of the same old crock
> we went through two or three years ago .. or was it five years ago?
> Come to think of it, is this the third or fourth time this thing
> has sprung up?    PAT]

AMEN!  What I can't figure out is what pecuniary interest these rumor
mongers have in spreading these rumors.  Is it they just want to snail
mail bomb public officials, or do they own stock in the post office, or
what ...

Sometimes I think ol' P.T. was right.


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I don't know *which* P.T. you are referring
to, but as for me, I am always right! And I don't give humble opinions,
either. Oh ... you meant P.T. Barnum <grin> ... yeah, he once said a fool
is born every minute.

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

Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 09:54:58 -0500
From: Fred R. Goldstein <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Information Needed on Digital Interfaces/Protocols


[e-mail] (John Lundgren) writes,

> For information on X.25, get it about the amateur version, AX.25, from
> ham radio sites.  Try the newsgroups rec.radio.amateur. (whatever) to
> get some FTP sites.  The one I can remember is arrl.org.

No, please do not confuse "AX.25" with "X.25".  They have four things
in common, "X", ".", "2", and "5".  Not much more.

X.25 is an ITU (ex-CCITT) standard.  Various textbooks describe it,
though the formal (inscrutable text) standard is available too for a
price.  The best way, I think, for the average user to get a copy is
to buy a CDROM.  The new Standards CDROM (2-disk set) from InfoMagic
([e-mail]) contains most CCITT and Internet standards, among
others, and is something like thirty bucks a copy (less from a
discounter) for the November, 1994 edition.

Technically, X.25 describes the subscriber interface (DTE-DCE) to a
connection-oriented packet-switched network.  It defines both data
link (layer 2) and packet (layer 3) protocols.

AX.25 is an ARRL (ham radio magazine publisher and club) standard.  It
defines1 only a data link layer, and all it shares with X.25 is a foggy
conformance to ISO3309 (HDLC).  AX.25 actually features something we
now may recognize as "source routed frame relay". Its addresses are
based on ham radio call signs.  They called it "AX.25" to make it
sound more official than it should have been.  It's buggy as hell but
widely used anyway, much to the detriment of amateur packet radio.  I
don't know where it's on line, but ARRL (Newington, CT) sells paper
copies.


Fred R. Goldstein [e-mail]
Bolt Beranek & Newman Inc.  Cambridge MA USA  [phone]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Fred! I see from your .signature that
you have moved to a different rest home. When did you start with BB&N?
I remember a few years ago when you used to write to the Digest from
(was it?) Carnegie Mellon?

Readers!  Watch for another issue of the Digest later today when Fred
gives a piece of his mind to Mr. Ng, who englightened us on ISDN in
a recent issue. It'll be fun, I assure you that.     PAT]

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

Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 10:35:36 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Eric Paulak)
Subject: Re: 500 Numbers Finally Available


[e-mail] (Stan Schwartz) wrote:

> The Toddster ([e-mail]) wrote:

>> Hopefully, the local phone companies will reprogram their switches to
>> allow dialing of 1 + 500 and 0 + 500 calls.  If they do not, it is my
>> assumption that calls can still be made via +1.800.CALL.ATT (though
>> this is PURELY speculation).

> Hopefully, INDEED!  Rochester Telephone never upgraded their switches
> to allow for EasyReach service, and I _COULDN'T_ complete the calls
> through AT&T's 800 numbers either, as of the summer of '93.  An AT&T
> rep told me that they couldn't force local phone companies to upgrade
> their hardware/software to handle new LD services, and they also had
> the same problem in Cincinnati.  This was one of the many reasons I
> cancelled my EasyReach service.

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well I am sure Ameritech will be making
> all the needed adjustments very soon now since they are also entering
> the 500 arena. According to the {Chicago Sun Times} on Thursday, Ameritech
> has been given approval to offer their own 500 numbers for local and
> long distance use. As to be expected, AT&T and MCI both screamed loudly
> to protest, claiming Ameritech would favor itself in the form of reduced
> access rates (charged to its own telcos on its books) as opposed to the
> access rates it has already demanded from AT&T and other long distance
> carriers who intend to offer this service. So I don't think anyone is
> going to have to tell *our* telephone company here about it ... grin.

> Not only that, Ameritech's version is going to have a prefix for cellular
> customers where the caller pays for the airtime instead of the traditional
> method where the cellular owner pays in both directions. They are going to
> offer voicemail, transfer on busy/no answer and a few other goodies on
> their version as well, and this has gotten AT&T all the more annoyed
> according to the newspaper account.   PAT]

I don't know how Ameritech is running its service. My guess the service is
only good in their region. But in order for AT&T's Personal Number Service
to work, however, the LECs have to have filed 500 access tariffs. So
far, Ameritech, Bell Atlantic, BellSouth, Nynex, Pacific Telesis,
Southwestern Bell, GTE-Florida, GTE-Hawaii, Cincinnati Bell and about
another 12 independent operating companies have filed their tariffs.
That leaves US West and about 1,000 other independents that haven't
filed tariffs.

What that means is you can receive 500 calls from those areas covered
by LECs that have filed tariffs, but you can't receive calls for those
areas where the LECs haven't filed tariffs.

If you still want 500 service, you can get calls if you are in one of the
areas where tariffs are filed, but you can only get calls from areas where
the tariffs have been filed. For example, If I were in Omaha, Neb., I could
get a 500 call from Florida, but I couldn't get a 500 call from Lincoln,
Nebraska.


Eric Paulak
The Center for Communications Management Information
the largest provider of rate and tariff information
in North America and publisher of specialty telecom
newsletters and on-line services
[phone], ext. 327
11300 Rockville Pike, Suite 1100, Rockville, MD 20852

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

From: [e-mail] (Greg Bell)
Subject: Re: December Consumer Reports Article About Cordless Phones
Date: 30 Dec 1994 00:48:57 GMT
Organization: CERFnet Dial n' CERF Customer


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

> Uniden Exp 9100 (digital)          1400/1600
> AT&T 9100 (digital)                 900/1200
> Tropez 900DL (digital)              900/1200
> Sony SPP-ER1                        300/ 700
> Cobra CP-900 (digital)              600/1100
> Radio Shack ET-900                  700/1100

> The prices range from $200 to $300.  Cordless phones in the 46/49 MHZ
> range are also rated.

What the original poster didn't mention is that CR was disappointed
with all of the 900MHz models tested.  The highest rated one (Uniden
9100) had an echo on the listening side.  Because of this, they rated a
few of the 46/49MHz models higher in the clarity category!   Also, they
said the ergonomics of all of them were bad, and the talk-time (battery
capacity) ranged from about two to four hours.

I was originally excited about the 900MHz phones until I read the
review.  I ended up getting the highest rated 46/49MHz model (AT&T
4615 ? short-term memory's gone).

Good issue.  The reviews were pretty complete.  They did answering
machines too (including digital and combo phone/answeres).

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

From: [e-mail] (Bill McMullin)
Subject: FM Subcarrier For Data Transmission
Organization: InterActive Telecom
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 07:22:08 -0400


I am trying to learn more about using FM subcarrier technology to
deliver data.  What equipment is involved?  What does it cost?  What
(if any) regulations govern its use?

Any help appreciated.


Bill McMullin             E-mail: [e-mail]
InterActive Telecom                 ph: 902-832-1014
1550 Bedford Hwy Sun Tower #304     fx: 902-832-1015
Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada B4A 1E6

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

From: [e-mail] ([e-mail])
Subject: Direct Line Communications
Date: 30 Dec 1994 15:56:40 GMT
Organization: Temple University, Academic Computer Services


If you have a direct phone line between two points (no dialtones)
what type of modems can you use for communications?  How will the
modems establish a connection without dialing or even a dialtone? Also
what is synchronous mode for modems? I have two US ROBOTICS SPORTSTER
14.4ks.


Thanks.


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: It depends on how the phone line responds.
If it is the kind of line where when the phone on one end is taken off
hook the phone on the other end rings automatically (this is *not* a
one-number speed dial type of thing; it is done in the central office)
then the modems will work the same as always. The modem on either end
is taken off hook with ATO. Period. That's all you enter. That 'phone'
going off hook signals the central office to ring the other end and
the distant modem responds in the usual way.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Chuck Campbell)
Subject: Cellphone Radiation Danger?
Date: 29 Dec 1994 19:13:22 GMT
Organization: ACCEL Services, Inc.  ph:[phone], fax:[phone]
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Someone told me that cellular telephones have antenna radiation
danger, being in such close proximity to the brain.  Is there any
discussion or literature regarding such claims, or can they all be
immediately dismissed as garbage?


Thanks,

chuck

ACCEL Services, Inc.            | Specialists in Gravity, Magnetics
1980 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 2050 |   and Integrated Interpretation
Houston, TX, 77056              |
                                |  1(713)993-0671 voice
Chuck Campbell                  |  1(713)960-1157 fax
President & Senior Geoscientist | email [e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: There has been discussion of this topic
here in these very columns in the past. Generally speaking, it is a
non-issue. It takes a lot more power than a cellphone antenna can
radiate before it matters. If John Higdon sees this, he may well decide
to respond. He did so the last time this topic arose here. He has worked
around RF radiation for years, and lots of it at that.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Andrew P. Dinsdale)
Subject: Searching for Cabling Contractors in Ohio
Date: 30 Dec 1994 11:30:32 GMT
Organization: The Greater Detroit Free-Net


We are a technology integrator primarily serving the educational
market.  We are having problems finding ***RELIABLE*** cabling
companies in ohio to do our sub-contractual building wiring.

Anyone with any interest or information should contact myself
with a direct reply to [e-mail].

A company interested should send rates and references to the same
E-mail or call:

DataServ, Inc: 800-352-2849 attention Jeff Dziadula (pronounced Jadoola).
Also, you can fax [phone]


Sincerely,

Andrew   DataServ, Inc

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

From: [e-mail] (Ray Cotten)
Subject: Horizon 16 Head
Organization: IQuest Network Services
Date: Tue, 27 Dec 1994 19:54:38 GMT


Hi all, I am looking for a Horizon 16 head. I have a 32 head that I
will trade for it. Email me if you have one.


Thanks,

ray
Telecommunication Manager   Consumer Sattelite Systems
email = [e-mail]     unix attempty

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

From: [e-mail] (Jon Zeeff)
Subject: Roll Over/Hunt Group
Date: 29 Dec 1994 19:04:27 -0500
Organization: Branch Information Services, Ann Arbor, MI, USA


Ameritech tells me that they cannot roll over a trunk hunt where
instead of starting with line one and picking the first free one, it
always takes the next one after the last used one (ie, a circular
hunt).  Maybe I didn't use the right terminology.  Does anyone know
why they couldn't do this?


   Commercial Internet Advertising, Marketing and Consulting
Jon Zeeff       Branch Information Services     [e-mail]
[phone]  http://branch.com/              gopher branch.com

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Metropolitan Area Networks in USA
Date: 30 Dec 1994 10:26:01 GMT
Organization: Inst. of Electronics, AGH, Krakow, POLAND


Hi netters,

I need urgently as much as possible informations about Metropolitan Area
Networks in USA. The more important questions are:

1. What is the architecture of MAN (physical layer - FDDI, B-ISDN; protocols)
2. Do banks participate and use MAN? In which way?
3. What type of network services are most popular?
4. Who is the main investor?
5. What level of data security is provided?


Thanks in advance.

Roman Rumian    [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jack Daniel)
Subject: Help: AT&T 510D Terminals
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 07:43:21 GMT


I have acquired several AT&T model 510D operator terminals.  These are
'pc-like' units with touch screens.

I need a service manual (complete with diagrams and service access).

I am willing to pay for one or more of these manuals.

If you have any of these, please email me at [e-mail] or
respond to this posting.

Any information will be helpful!

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #477
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
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To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #478

TELECOM Digest     Fri, 30 Dec 94 12:39:30 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 478

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: What is ISDN? (Fred R. Goldstein)
    Re: ISDN Internet Access (John Lundgren)
    Re: Rate Hike For Universal TouchTone? ([e-mail])
    Re: ISDN in the US (James Bellaire)
    Re: What is a T1 Line? (James Carlson)
    Re: Questions About Fax/Voice Modems and Dual-Mode Modems (John Lundgren)
    Re: Long Dial Tone Holds [Was DMS-100 vs 5ESS] ([e-mail])
    Re: HDSL/ISDN (Richard M. Kenshalo)
    Paknet/Cognito (Oliver Mauss)
    Portability of 800 Number When Bill Not Paid (Robert De Vries)
    Area Code 360 Prefix List (Ry Jones)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual
readers. Write and tell us how you qualify:

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The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
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*************************************************************************
*   TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the              *
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*************************************************************************

Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such
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All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 10:12:41 -0500
From: Fred R. Goldstein <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: What is ISDN?


[e-mail] (L S Ng) fulminates,

> What is ISDN? Here is my definition:

> The old telephone line is a pair of copper wires with a 3.5kHz low
> pass filter attached at the local exchange/central office.

> ISDN is the same old pair of copper wires with the low pass filter
> removed!

I thought we were rid of this silliness!  My dear Mr. or Ms. Ng, please
learn a few facts before engaging keyboard.

> The low pass filter serves two functions:

> 1. (original) remove high frequency noise to improve signal to noise
> ratio in speech (also anti-aliasing etc.)

> 2. (now) limit the bandwidth hence channel capacity (bit rate) you can
> get over the same old pair of copper wire.

There is no "low pass filter".  Before ISDN was conceived, the
telephone "wire" terminated on an analogue switch.  The bandwidth
within the switch was often unlimited, and the bandwidth on the wires
was whatever it was.  The only "low pass filter" was a loading coil,
which was used on wires longer than about four kilometers (local
practice varied) to reduce loss within the speech band (under 4 kHz).

Nowadays, the switch is digital; it uses a <4 kHz low pass filter
because it switches via 8000 samples per second Pulse Code Modulation.
If the line is analog, the codec/filter is in the switch.  If the line
is digital, then there is no filter in the switch; it gives you 64
kbps to play with.  ISDN allows the digital stream to be extended over
one pair to the subscriber; it works over most unloaded cables.
Beyond 4 km ("18 kilofeet") or so, repeaters are needed to overcome
wire attenuation.

> And the telephone companies charged you heavily (in some countries)
> for removing the low pass filter.

No, they charge you for a different type of interface into the switch.
While an all-ISDN CO switch probably wouldn't cost much different from
an all-analog switch, the switch manufacturers do charge fair change
for ISDN-enabling software in order to recoup their rather heavy
investment.

> So by simply removing the 3.5kHz LPF, you get much wider bandwidth,
> and hence higher bit rate.  The practical maximum you can get is a few
> Mega bits per second.  192kbps for ISDN is nothing!! And yet the evil
> telephone companies charge you hefty sum for just that!

You obviously haven't taken my class in Telecommunications Transmission
Systems (which I don't teach any more; I'm doing "Frame Relay and ATM"
in January and "ISDN" in the spring at Northeastern U).  The 192 kbps
(actually 160 on the local loop) of ISDN is the most that can be
squeezed out of 18 kilofeet, full duplex, with late 1980s technology
(today's chips).  Remember, ALL TRANSMISSION IS ANALOG.  Digital
transmission always has to run over analog wire, radio, or glass.
Digital is an abstraction overlaid on an analog reality of photons
(well, digital at the quantum level but let's not get carried away).

> Some telephone companies have already planned to use the capacity to
> transmit video/broadcast TV.  So don't you believe they already have
> this technology and they want to hold it back for making more money?
> Last month, British Telecom's plan for broadcast TV over the old phone
> line was blocked by the British government. This is a sound proof that
> they already have the technology to give it cheaply to consumers.

Conspiratorial, aren't you?  Hey, who killed JFK?  Really, the video-over-
phone programme (ADSL) uses newer tranmission technology which runs
for a shorter distance (maybe 12 kilofeet without repeaters) at 2 Mbps
and faster for even shorter distances.  And that's just the wire, not
the switch.

> Telephone consumers are fooled by the evil telephone companies because
> it is very easy to get fooled in this extremely complicated business
> full of jargons which serve this purpose!

Yes, you are VERY confused!


Fred R. Goldstein      [e-mail]
Bolt Beranek & Newman Inc.  Cambridge MA  USA [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: ISDN Internet Access
Date: 30 Dec 1994 16:34:56 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


L S Ng ([e-mail]) wrote:

> What is ISDN? Here is my definition:

> The old telephone line is a pair of copper wires with a 3.5kHz low
> pass filter attached at the local exchange/central office.

Look.  We can't figure out where you're coming up with these off-the-wall
theories.  But whatever.

The subscriber lines can go into a SLIC, or subscriber line interface
card.  This card can be changed out and replaced.

There is (or was before 5ess switches) a transformer that is connected
to the line and it does have a limited bandwidth.  It isn;t a low pass
filter.

> ISDN is the same old pair of copper wires with the low pass filter
> removed!

In this case, the line must be driven by the ISDN circuitry, and from
what I've seen of network balanced lines, the loop is also isolated
from the circuit with a wideband transformer.

> And the telephone companies charged you heavily (in some countries)
> for removing the low pass filter.

What has this got to do with the low pass filter?  ShoePolish!  That's
what it's go to do with!

If you order centrex it's the same old line as a Measured Business
line.  But you pay more for it, and the features that it has are
stored in the computer that runs the switch.  Big deal. If you order
IDSN, the features are not the same as a regular POTS analog line.

> The low pass filter serves two functions:

> 1. (original) remove high frequency noise to improve signal to noise
> ratio in speech (also anti-aliasing etc.)

The transformer does that.  And the bandwidth of the transformer is
dependent on its design.

> 2. (now) limit the bandwidth hence channel capacity (bit rate) you can
> get over the same old pair of copper wire.

The copper wire already has limitations depending on the length.

> This is the evil intention of telephone companies. 3.5kHz will give

Evil intention, huh?  I suppose the next thing you'll be telling us is
that you sat next to Elvis yesterday on the UFO.

The intention of the telcos is to make money.  Now if you're one of
those prophets that shout "Money is the root of all evil", then by
YOUR definition it might be evil.  But it's basically a matter of
money, and that money isn't determined so much by the telcos as by the
state and federal regulatory eagencies.  They do have some good
lobbyists, tho.

You get what you pay for, and if the telco gives you an unloaded copper
pair with DC continuity, then you pay for that according to the tariff.

Ask any alarm company, that's basically what they use.

> you at most 30kbps capacity assuming about 10bits/Hz at 26 dB signal
> to noise ratio (signal 400 times stronger than noise) [ Use Shannon's
> formula:

>   channel capacity (bps) = Bandwidth x log2 (1 + SNR)

> So by simply removing the 3.5kHz LPF, you get much wider bandwidth,
> and hence higher bit rate.  The practical maximum you can get is a few
> Mega bits per second.  192kbps for ISDN is nothing!! And yet the evil
> telephone companies charge you hefty sum for just that! Some telephone

Gawd.  Evil.

Look. If I transmit 192 plus KBPS over my phone line, every neighbor
around here will call the phone company compalining of interference.
It's not a matter of what is good for just the phone company, it's a
matter of what's good for all the other subscribers, so get off your
soap box and come down to reality.

I've mentioned that at work, we have our digital switch that transmits
2 (TWO) MEGABITS PER SECOND over a single pair, but it goes up to two
thousand feet.  Aftert that, we have to go to to T1 to get farther.
Most of the phone subscriber loops are over 2 KFt.  So the practical
maximum is a few MBPS if every block had a central office, or some way
to interface the line to fiber, as an example.  T1 circuits have to
have an amplifier every 6000 feet or closer.  If all the subscriber
lines were under 6000 feet, it might work, but they aren't.  There is
this ADSL, and it' at T1 speeds.  But it also has limitations on
distance.

> companies have already planned to use the capacity to transmit
> video/broadcast TV.  So don't you believe they already have this
> technology and they want to hold it back for making more money? Last

What's holding back got to do with it? The cable TV companies already
offer the service.

> month, British Telecom's plan for broadcast TV over the old phone line
> was blocked by the British government. This is a sound proof that they
> already have the technology to give it cheaply to consumers.

So far the only proof you've offered is that you're talking through your
hat.

> Telephone consumers are fooled by the evil telephone companies because
> it is very easy to get fooled in this extremely complicated business
> full of jargons which serve this purpose!

It looks like the jargon has certainly fooled you.

   Evil.  Humph.  Stupid, maybe, but not evil. Oops, I shouldn't say
that.  Oh, well.


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Rate Hike For Universal TouchTone?
Date: 30 Dec 1994 16:51:55 GMT
Organization: DCLU - City of Seattle


>> Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't it cost them less money to
>> support 100% touch tone in today's telecom environment?  Is this just
>> a ploy to line their pockets from their captive market?

> It's been several years since Pac Bell quit charging extra.  One time
> back when they were, I used the touch tone on my supposedly pulse only
> line.  The DTMF broke the dial tone and I got the number; in other
> words, the service was enabled even though I didn't pay for it.  Well a
> short time later I got a letter from Pac Bell asking that I pay for
> the service, but I wasn't about to do that.  They said that they had
> tried to call me, but no one was at home. (Of course, I was at work).
> So I called their number, after work, of course, and left a message
> telling them no I didn't have a touch tone phone and to call me back,
> at a more appropriate time, after work.  I never did hear from them
> after that.

This happened to me several years ago and at the time I had the
advantage of working in the CO my number came out of back when I
worked for Pacific Bell.  I had just started there as a Frame
Attendant so I was very suprised when I was able to break dial tone at
home with a tone/pulse phone on a line where I wasn't paying for touch
tone.  When I asked around in the switch room they told me that they
were preparing for some major upgrade to the 1AESS in order to
eliminate more X-bar and in preparation for that cutover they just
gave everybody touch-tone to be on the safe side.  I retained it for
several months after the cutover, then I got the same letter that you
did.  I declined to pay for it and soon after they declined to provide
it to me.  Friends in the business office told me that everyone got
touch-tone by default, if you didn't order it when you signed up for
new service they had to run the translation to deny it to you.

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

Date: Fri, 30 Dec 94 07:28 EST
From: [e-mail] (James Bellaire)
Subject: Re: ISDN in the US


LS Ng wrote:

> James Bellaire writes:

>> My understanding is that BRI ISDN is 192Kbps service over two wires.  T1 is
>> run over four wires at 1.5Mbps (one pair for transmit, one pair for recieve)
> Let's not play with the definition of Digital and Analogue.  It is
> confusing.  Any digital signal when get sent down a physical medium must
> be in some sort of analogue format, even ISDN or T1.

The T1 specs I have (courtesy of Westell) are:
Line rate: 1.544 Mbps
Signal Type: bipolar, return to zero
Pulse Amplitude: 2.4 to 3.0V
Pulse Width: 324 +/- 45 nsec Unbanance from negative to positive 20 nsec max
Pulse Overshoot: 10 to 30%
Pulse Rise and Fall Time: 100 nsec max
Time Between Consecutive Pulses: 648 +/- 15 nsec

The signal is amplitude modulated on a single 772khz carrier tone,
with no separate tones required for ecieve or transmit.  If you listen
in on the line you can hear that one tone with no variation in pitch.

> In older and slower modem design, incoming and outgoing messages are
> modulating on two different frequencies, so as to avoid the
> interference. With modern and faster modem, messages in both direction
> are on the same frequencies and the inteference is eliminated using echo
> cancellation.

Modem signals are frequency modulated (the pitch changes).  My old
300baud modem used two sets of audio frequencies, one pair for
originate the other for answer, sending them at 300 words per second.
My new 14.4Kbps modem speaks 2400 baud (2400 words per second) with
each tone word associated with a data word of 6 bits.  I believe ther
are four sets, two answer, two originate.  If you listen in on the
line it sounds like one of the new metal bands.  (maybe better!)  I'm
basing this description on John Levine's description of baud found in
his {More Internet for Dummies} book.

> What price do you pay for your T1 line?

The local telco rents us wire pairs at $5.00 per airline mile according
to the tariff.  I have not seen the bill in order to verify this. (Home
office pays for the connection.)


[e-mail]    James E. Bellaire

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

From: [e-mail] (James Carlson)
Subject: Re: What is a T1 Line?
Date: 30 Dec 1994 12:55:09 GMT
Organization: Xylogics Incorporated
Reply-To: [e-mail]


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Matthew P. Downs)
writes:

> These filters are not to limit your modem
> speeds, but to protect you 64 kbps channel from others.  So you don't
> hear the cross talk on your line!  This was done a long time before
> modems were ever thought of ...

Not quite; there's no way one DS0 can interfere with another, and
there's no such thing as cross-talk at the digital level.  The analog
filters are there to prevent aliasing, which is an objectionable beat
frequency which appears in the spectrum when the Nyquist limit is
exceeded by any component of the signal.


James Carlson <[e-mail]>            Tel:  [phone]
Annex Software Support / Xylogics, Inc.               [phone]
53 Third Avenue / Burlington MA  01803-4491     Fax:  [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: Questions About Fax/Voice Modems and Dual-Mode Modems
Date: 30 Dec 1994 15:47:37 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


> Could anyone reccommend/ clarify products for any of the following:

> 1. A fax / voice / data modem with software which handles voicemail,
> faxes and faxbacks. (External preferably.)
>     a. 14.4k one
>     b. 28.8 VFC
>     c. V.34
> Hardware and software (windows based) can be from different vendors,
> but a bundled package is preferred.

> 2. Any of the above modems, with Caller-ID information capability included.

> (Would this capability be the same for ANI pickup, in case number being
> rung is an 800 number?? If not which product for this??)

I'm in California, so no Caller ID, but the following modem has it,
along with FAX and voice.  I own two of their U-1496e external modems.

ZyXEL modems and VoiceFax software from (for DOS, Windows and Mac,
info from their flyer):

ZyXEL Communications Corp.
4920 E. LaPalma Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92807
[phone]
FAX: [phone]

For more info on the new ZyXEL ZyCellular protocol and VoiceFax software,
call [phone].  email: [e-mail] or Compuserve 71333,2734


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Long Dial Tone Holds [Was DMS-100 vs 5ESS]
Date: 30 Dec 1994 16:38:43 GMT
Organization: DCLU - City of Seattle


>  At my 5ESS switch in Pennsylvania 610-525 (served by Bell Atlantic),
>  if you try to dial 1 301 *67, the second you hit the *, you get a fast
>  busy.

For better results try dialing *67-1-301-XXX-XXX


Mitch Greer   Seattle, WA

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

Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 08:26:02 -0800
From: RICHARD M KENSHALO <[e-mail]>
Subject: HDSL/ISDN


Both ISDN and HDSL use similar line coding - called 2B1Q, or 2
Binary/1 Quaternary.  This means that digital data is grouped in bit
pairs, and each bit pair is coded into a 4-level symbol called a QUAT.
This allows 2B1Q to cut the overall bit stream line rate in half,
since 2 bits is equal to one symbol.  This has advantages when
bundling HDSL pairs and other (T-1) pairs in that the power spectrum
is centered much lower than the T-1, minimizing crosstalk.

ISDN (BRI) uses 2B1Q at 160 Kb/s over a single pair.  In this case,
TCM (Time Compression Multiplexing) is used in alternating data
bursts, followed by guard times to allow the line to settle, to
provide duplex transmission over a single pair of wires.  Again, 2B1Q
technology is used to minimized the power spectrum on the voice grade
loop.  HDSL uses two pairs for full duplex, and higher line rates.


Richard Kenshalo
Matanuska Telephone Association
[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Oliver Mauss)
Subject: Paknet/Cognito
Date: 30 Dec 1994 17:36:27 GMT
Organization: Rechnerbetrieb Informatik - RWTH Aachen


I am searching for information about two wireless data services in the
UK: Paknet and Cognito. Can anyone give me a pointer to sources of
information for these two systems?


Thanks,

Oliver C. Mauss             | Aachen University of Technology - RWTH
                            | Integrated Systems for Signal Processing
 phone: [phone]  | ISS - 611810
 fax:   [phone] | Templergraben 55
 [e-mail]   | 52056 Aachen, Germany

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

From: [e-mail] (Robert De Vries)
Subject: Portability of 800 Number When Bill Not Paid
Organization: NETCOM On-line Communication Services (408 261-4700 guest)
Date: Thu, 29 Dec 1994 18:31:12 GMT


I want to switch 800 carriers, away from a carrier with whom I have a
billing dispute.

Is there any provision in FCC regs that allows the old carrier to
refuse to release the number to teh new carrier, i.e., to deny
portability to a new carrier in the case of an unpaid bill?



[e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I am not aware of any such restrictions
and the carrier you are dropping is probably going to play games and
sit on the transfer request as long as possible just to extract a bit
more anxiety from you. I do not know the amount of money in question
or the nature of the dispute, but if the money is substantial and they
feel they are correct in their billing then your yanking of the account
away from them will probably be their green light to sue you for the
amount due. At least when the account is still active with the number
turned on and running in their office, there is some incentive on your
part to continue the process of resolving the dispute. If they cut
your service, or you move the service to another carrier -- whichever
happens first -- then there is no longer any incentive on *your part*
to settle with them, and they know that. So depending on the amount of
money involved and the nature of the dispute, you may be opening a can
of worms for yourself. Care to tell us more about what's going on?   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Ry Jones)
Subject: 360 Prefix List
Date: 29 Dec 1994 23:03:17 GMT
Organization: The SenseMedia Network


Folks,

This is from a US WEST circular from the "large business group". It's
a list of the prefixes in 360. For better or worse, here it is. All
typos are of course my fault.

360 Prefix List

201 202 212 221 225 231 238 240 245 247 249 253 254 256 257 206 262
263 264 267 268 269 273 274 275 276 278 288 289 291 293 295 297 299
301 315 317 319 321 327 330 331 332 336 341 352 354 357 366 371 372
373 374 375 376 377 378 379 380 384 385 387 396 398 401 404 405 407
408 412 414 416 417 418 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 435 436
437 438 444 445 446 452 456 457 458 459 460 465 466 468 470 476 478
479 482 484 490 491 492 493 494 495 496 497 498 501 518 520 532 533
534 538 561 563 568 569 573 574 576 577 578 579 580 586 590 592 595
598 599 613 629 636 638 642 645 647 648 650 651 652 653 658 659 663
664 665 668 671 673 674 675 676 677 678 679 681 683 686 687 690 691
692 693 694 695 696 697 698 699 701 705 707 708 710 713 714 715 724
729 730 731 732 733 734 736 737 738 739 740 741 748 749 750 753 754
755 757 758 765 766 769 777 779 785 786 791 792 793 794 795 796 797
798 801 802 808 817 825 826 829 830 832 834 835 837 849 853 855 856
864 866 871 873 875 876 877 879 886 887 892 893 894 895 896 897 898
901 902 903 904 905 908 921 923 928 934 942 943 944 945 951 956 961
962 963 966 973 978 981 983 985 987 988

Don't reprogram your PBX by this list. :)


Please reply to [e-mail] or directly to [e-mail].
Other mutations may bounce, such as [e-mail].

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #478
******************************


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Date: Fri, 30 Dec 94 21:19:04 CST
From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #479

TELECOM Digest     Fri, 30 Dec 94 21:19:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 479

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Information Security Committee Meeting Announcement (Michael S Baum)
    Bankrupt Thrifty Tel Wants to Lower its Taxes (David G. Cantor)
    Prepaid Telephone Debit Cards (Kevin J. Sullivan)
    Re: Rollover/Hunt Group (Jeffrey Rhodes)
    1A2 Stuff Wanted (John Parsons)
    Re: MobilMedia Paging's "Hidden" Charges and RUDE Service (Steve Forrette)
    Telephone Headset Source Wanted (Jeff Klein)
    Need Information on LD Marketing to College Students ([e-mail])
    Re: Pinouts on RJ11 Plugs on Modems (John Lundgren)
    Re: FM Subcarrier For Data Transmission (Dave Van Allen)
    Re: Its Here Again! FCC/Modem (Bruce Roberts)
    Re: Its Here Again! FCC/Modem Tax ([e-mail])
    Re: Flat Rate Cellular Phone Service (Rob Boudrie)
    Re: Portability of 800 Number When Bill Not Paid (Kevin T. Smith)
    Re: Buying GSM-Phones Abroad - a Comment (Rupert Baines)
    Re: ISDN Internet Access (Ed Goldgehn)
    Re: TIA-Telecom Industry Association (Kelly Breit)
    Re: TIA-Telecom Industry Association (Rupert Baines)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
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Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual
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                 * [e-mail] *

The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
or phone at:
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                     Skokie, IL USA   60076
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  ** Article submission address only: [e-mail] **

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*************************************************************************
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All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 17:15:45 EST
From: Michael S Baum <[e-mail]>
Subject: Information Security Committee Meeting Announcement


Please correspond to:
Michael S. Baum, Esq.
33 Tremont Street
Cambridge, MA  02139-1227
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Net: [e-mail]

Subject:    INFORMATION SECURITY COMMITTEE MEETING
                      AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION

You are cordially invited to participate in a meeting of the
Information Security Committee on Sunday-Wednesday, February 12-15,
1994 in Miami Beach, FL. The meeting is being held in Florida to
coordinate with the Midyear meeting of the American Bar Association
which will meet in Miami. The Committee will review contributions to
the draft Model Global Digital Signature Guidelines/Rules of Practice
("Rules"), and further advance the development of a CyberNotarial
institution. The meetings are focused around the work product of its
respective participants and will be highly results driven.

The meeting agenda and logistics are attached. I look forward to
seeing you in Florida.

Sincerely,


Michael S. Baum
Chair, Information Security Committee
  and EDI/IT Division

attachment

cc: Robert Barger, Esq. Section Chair; Council, Div. and Comm. Chairs

INFORMATION SECURITY COMMITTEE
February 12-15, 1994

Tentative Agenda

SUNDAY, FEB. 12
15:00-15:30    Participant introductions, meeting logistics and questions;
15:30-16:30    Presentation and discussion of high-level Guideline formats.
        New participant introductory session (held in parallel).
16:30-17:00    Presentation and discussion of Guidelines sections.
17:00-17:15    Rapporteur status report.
17:15-18:45    Symposium Report; Review of Contributions.
18:45-19:00    Work Group Break-Out Sessions.

MONDAY, FEB. 13
 8:30- 9:00    Continental breakfast and logistics
 9:00- 12:30    Guidelines full review; CyberNotarial break-out
12:30-13:30    Lunch & informal presentation
        Tentative Topic: Cross-Certification, Methods and Implications
13:30-14:30    Legislative update; CyberNotarial report
14:30-16:30    Guidelines break-out; CyberNotarial break-out
16:30-17:00    Wrap-up

TUESDAY, FEB. 14
 8:30- 9:00    Continental breakfast
 9:00-11:30    Guidelines Full Review;
        CyberNotarial Break-out
                   -- Institutional Framework cont.
                       -- Revision of Rules of Practice
11:30-12:30    Incorporation by Reference; X.509 Extensions;
        Guidelines relationship to Policy Statements.
12:30-13:30    Lunch & informal presentation
        Tentative Topic: Insurability of PKI
13:30-14:00    Update by Int'l Union of Latin Notaries; Notary Ass'ns
14:30-16:30    Guidelines break-out;
        CyberNotary break-out:
                      -- Institutional Framework
                      -- Endorsements
16:30-16:45    Annual ABA Meeting Issues/Preparation
16:45-17:00    Wrap-up

WEDNESDAY, FEB 15
 8:00- 8:30    Continental breakfast and registration.
 8:30-9:30    "Mini-updates" on various CA projects/pilots;
        Evidentiary update
 9:30-10:30    Break-out writing sessions on Rules contributions.
        CyberNotarial Break-out:
            -- Revision of Qualification Criteria
                       -- Preparation of Project Update
10:30-10:45    Break.
10:45-12:00    Full Committee Review of Projects; Path forward.


RSVP: Please confirm your intention to participate to Ann Kowalsky,
Section Manager, Section of Science and Technology (ABA Chicago,
[e-mail]; Fax: [phone]) as soon as possible.

Meeting Details

Contributions to Work Product: All members who plan to attend must
submit their agreed-upon contributions promptly, as determined by the
Work Group Chairs. Additionally, please bring a copy of your
contribution to the meeting in both paper form and on disk. First-time
participants (who plan to attend the February meeting) must request
attendance and submit a brief paper (~3+ pages in length) relevant to
the subject matter (please contact Michael Baum for details). A
diskette of prior papers and Committee documents will be presented to
new participants at the meeting. Participants are encouraged to bring
computers. Pre-meeting drafts will be distributed on approximately
January 30 exclusively to all contributors (persons who submit
contributions) for pre-meeting review and comment. All participants
should email Dwight Olsen regarding their assignments/contributions at
([e-mail]).

Meeting Location:

    DORAL OCEAN BEACH RESORT
    4833 COLLINS AVENUE
    MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA 33140-2799  USA

Group Rate: $135/night plus tax, double or single.  The hotel requires
first and last night deposit on your credit card by January 10.

IMPORTANT-
TO OBTAIN THE GROUP DISCOUNT:

  ***RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE BEFORE JANUARY 10***

BY PHONING THE DORAL HOTEL GROUP SALES DEPARTMENT AT:
      1 [phone]  X. 2233,

YOU MUST IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS PART OF THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION
GROUP TO OBTAIN THE DISCOUNT.


DORAL HOTEL FEATURES:

  300-800 ft. Parasailing Rides
  Men & Women Sauna and Steam Jacuzzi
  Paddle Boats; Motor Boats
  14-16 ft. Catamaran Sailing
  Free Weights, Life Cycles,
  Wave Runners
  European Style Massages
  Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
  Tennis & Professional Tennis Lessons
  Poolside Bar and Restaurant
  Guest Activity Center and Social Director
  Game Room
  Deep Sea Fishing

"The Doral is a 420 room four-star/four-diamond resort committed to
delivering the service and amenities that keep our guests coming back,
With 38,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, located on our
lobby and mezzanine levels and a complete convention department that
provides personalized attention throughout the pre-planning and
execution of your entire program, you are rest assured to have a truly
successful and professionally organized meeting.

"Our on property activities include tennis, an Olympic sized pool,
health and fitness center and a variety of aqua sports.  To complete
the total package, our guests have access to champion golf at the
Doral Golf Resort & Spa ... and just minutes from our front door is the
renowned South Beach Art Deco District."

CASUAL CLOTHING IS PROPOSED FOR ALL MEETINGS AND EVENTS.

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

Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Bankrupt Thrifty Tel Wants to Lower its Taxes
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 10:57:53 -0800
From: David G. Cantor <[e-mail]>


 From the {Los Angeles Times} Business section, December 30, 1994:

"Thrifty Tel files for Chapter 11: The Garden Grove based
long-distance telephone company filed for federal protection from
creditors after a factoring company threatened to foreclose on the
company's remaining cash reserves, the phone company said.  Thrifty
Tel will continue operations, but it said a successful reorganization
will be based on substantially lower payments to federal and state
governments on unpaid excise taxes.  In addition, the company said, it
is no longer negotiating with the Licklider group for an equity
investment."


David G. Cantor        Center for Communications Research
[e-mail]        4320 Westerra Court
            San Diego, CA 92121

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

From: [e-mail] (Kevin J. Sullivan)
Subject: Prepaid Telephone Debit Cards
Date: 30 Dec 1994 17:13:09 GMT
Organization: Telerama Public Access Internet, Pittsburgh, PA


I'm looking for information on setting up a business selling prepaid
calling cards.  Is there anyone who knows what you need to do this?  I
have heard it is relatively easy, however I'd like to know some
specific details.


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I think you'll find there are so many
people doing this -- as well as selling long distance in general through
various multi-level marketing schemes -- that the profit margin is very
very thin.  I think you will work long and hard hours for a very small
commission.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jeffrey Rhodes)
Subject: Re: Roll Over/Hunt Group
Date: 30 Dec 1994 22:52:48 GMT
Organization: McCaw Cellular Communications, Inc.
Reply-To: [e-mail]


In article [e-mail], [e-mail] (Jon Zeeff) writes:

> Ameritech tells me that they cannot roll over a trunk hunt where
> instead of starting with line one and picking the first free one, it
> always takes the next one after the last used one (ie, a circular
> hunt).  Maybe I didn't use the right terminology.  Does anyone know
> why they couldn't do this?

Probably because the switch in question is not a 5ESS or 4ESS. AT&T
trunk algorithms allow forward and backward hunting as you describe.
This allows the SS7 Circuit ID Code to map to SLS values such that
there is no SLS bias in the SS7 network topology. For two-way trunks,
one end forward hunting and the other end backward hunting makes for
the least glare.

NTI likes to use "Least Used" and "Most Used" hunting algorithms at
each end of two-way trunks to avoid glare. However, when their SS7
switches followed the standard to map Circuit ID Code to an SLS value
(0-31), then the "Most Used" algorithm biased the SLS selection.
Anyway, that's how I heard about SLS bias in SS7 networks.


Jeffrey Rhodes

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

Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 13:14:33 -0700
From: John Parsons <[e-mail]>
Subject: 1A2 Stuff Wanted


Just before Christmas, a mid-70's vintage Western Electric 1A2 key
system fell into my lap.  Just what I've always dreamed of!  (OK, so
I have weird dreams -- but those of you who appreciate vacuum tubes
and pre-70's automobiles should understand).  ;-)

Anyway, it has four line cards, eight stations and intercom.  I got
the 6-button W.E. sets with it, and I've found a source of surplus
66-blocks, outlet covers, and I have a spool of 25-pair cable on
order.  I also have the "ABC's of Telecommunications" volume on key
systems.  I'm going to install this stuff in my house, and purge those
toy-like two-line phones!

Here's my request: if anyone would like to rid their attic of the
following or related items, I will pay the shipping (from North
America) :

 * installation manuals for 1A2 systems
 * wiring diagrams for W.E. KSU's or 6-button station sets
 * 'ding-dong' ringers (I'm sure there's a technical term for these)
 * lamp replacement tools, or spare lamps
 * extra-long non-modular handset cords (or kits to convert sets to
     modular)
 * 'genuine Bell' (tm) line-busy indicators for use with single-
     line stations.

Or if you know of a commercial source of the above items, please let
me know.

General hints are welcome, especially regarding methods of cleaning
and maintaining these items.  Also, is anyone aware of answering
machines that have A/A1 connections?


Thanks in advance,

John Parsons      [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Steve Forrette)
Subject: Re: MobilMedia Paging's "Hidden" Charges and RUDE service
Date: 31 Dec 1994 01:17:25 GMT
Organization: Walker Richer & Quinn


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (CID
Tech/INSG) says:

> Just when it seems that I've found the perfect paging company -- one
> who our firm may want to do business with in the future on a much
> larger scale -- I get an OUTRAGEOUS bill from MobileMedia Paging.

> I just got my bill today, and they charged me $530 for a month's service
> due to overpages! In a little note at the end they state:

>        "Effective January 1st, 1994, self-dispatch overcalls are being
>         billed in 80 character increments, to be called "blocks" "

I had a similar problem with PageNet, although they were somewhat more
helpful in getting it resolved.  They too have this policy (for nationwide
alphas only) that they charge in "blocks", either 50 or 80 characters each
(I'm not sure).  So, a long page can actually cost you several "pages"
against your allowance or overpages, which are 50 cents each.  I got a
bill for over $900 for my first month of nationwide alpha service.

I tried to resolve this billing problem by going into their office and
speaking with the manager.  He informed me of the "block" charges for
the nationwide service (apparently, the local alpha service has no
such policy), and I explained that I had never been informed of this.
He got out all of the brochures and contracts, and was surprised
himself that the "block" charges are mentioned nowhere.  His response
was "Well, most of our customers go through our dispatch service, and
they know to limit the messages to 80 characters."  He seemed willing
to write it off since it was clear to him that I hadn't been informed
of it.

However, that was not the problem after all.  The root problem was
that they had set up my modem dialin incorrectly (using the modem port
on their local paging terminal instead of the 800 modem in their
nationwide terminal), and this triggered a bug in their billing
software which caused me to be charged a block for *each character* in
the message!  So, a single 30 character message would cost 30 blocks,
at a charge of $15 dollars!  As you can imagine, even a very low
volume of alpha pages quickly got my bill to $900.

The trouble started when they found out that I wasn't using their
dispatch service, but was dialing in myself, and not using their
software to do so.  "Oh, it must be a bug in your software -- we're not
responsible for that!"  Trying to explain the notion of a standard
protocol such as IXO/TAP and how even a bug in the sender's software
should not trigger a billing problem was of course of no use.  I spent
several hours going over my code and finally determined that in fact I
was in compliance with the standard and that there was no bug in my
code.  They of course were unconvinced, and just didn't understand why
I was being difficult in not using their software.

I finally asked them to dial in with their terminal in the office and
try it, and sure enough, it registered the block-per-character problem
(fortunately, they have realtime billing, so they can check the block
count immediately before and after each page).  At that point, they
wrote off the amount, and figured out that they needed to switch my
modem dialin.

In the end, I guess I'm somewhat satisfied with the way they handled
the situation.  I can imagine that it can be difficult for customer
service people to understand the issues that people who need to dial
in themselves can have, and I did get my account credited and problem
resolved.  I can really sympathize with Doug's situation, as I can
imagine how difficult it would be to resolve a problem like this when
you have "difficult" customer service people to deal with.


Steve Forrette, [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jeff Klein)
Subject: Telephone Headset Source Wanted
Date: 31 Dec 1994 00:30:56 GMT
Organization: PICnet


I'm looking for a high quality, comfortable telephone headset.  I
don't like Radio Shack's.  Do you a suggestion?  Source?

Please E-Mail direct.


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: One of the best sources still remains the
folks at Hello Direct. You can reach them for a copy of their catalog by
calling 1-800-HI-HELLO.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (LogicaRsch)
Subject: Need Info on LD Marketing to College Students
Date: 30 Dec 1994 13:20:17 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Reply-To: [e-mail] (LogicaRsch)


I'm researching a magazine article on how the long distance companies
market their services to college students. You would be helping me
considerably by providing me with any of the following information:

o     The size (budget, number of employees) of AT&T's, MCI's or Sprint's
student marketing departments.

o     Any recent promotions, giveaways or advertising targeting college
students.

o     Any weird, frightening or amusing stories or incidents related to
this subject.

You may e-mail or post an follow-up article. Thanks!

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

From: [e-mail] (John Lundgren)
Subject: Re: Pinouts on RJ11 Plugs on Modems
Date: 30 Dec 1994 15:58:59 GMT
Organization: Pacific Bell Knowledge Network


Lockie Martin ([e-mail]) wrote:

> Can any of you telco people out there tell me the pinouts for the RJ11
> plugs that appear on the back of most modems?

> |------|
> | 1234 |
> |      |
> |      |
> |-|  |-|

> ie which line performs what function? Is 3 the ringer?

Understand that I'm talking about U.S. standards.  There's not a lot
of differences throughout the world, but there are some.  And I'm
talking about USOC RJ-11.

The only two really important pins are the two in the middle.  The
outer two usually don't do anything, or are just passed on through.

One is tip or the green wire, and the other is ring or the red wire.
on the wall jack, they are normal, but on the other end of the cord,
they're reversed, so pin numbers depend on which end you're talking
about.

For the standard 2500 bell DTMF or touchtone phones the polarity
matters, but for most other newer equipment, the polarity isn't
important.

For the other USOC RJ-14, I believe it is, the outer two pins are a
second phone line.  Some of the cheaper phones don't even have the two
outer wire contacts in the jack.


John Lundgren - Elec Tech - Info Tech Svcs
Rancho Santiago Community College District
17th St. at Bristol \ Santa Ana, CA 92706
[e-mail]\[e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Sometimes the two outer pins also are
used for A/A1 supervision. I have an old 2400 baud US Robotics modem
with a dip switch which when set uses pins one and four to illuminate
the lamp on a six button phone nearby. Where less experienced and
knowledgeable people get confused frequently -- I am told this by
our local Radio Shack manager -- is on whether or not modems and other
telephone ancillary equipment, for example answering machines or
cordless phones, will work on 'line two'. As John Lundgren points out,
so much stuff these days does not even have the first and fourth pins
in the socket; only pins two and three are there. So we tell people
who ask, yes, your device (answering machine, cordless, modem or
whatever) *will* work on line two, but not as configured. Take your
pick, line one or line two -- and not to confuse the issue, but we
of course know it can be both if you use a switch that depends on
ringing current to throw its gate -- but for the general public, not
both. If you want it to operate on 'line two' in your house, here is
what you must do:  assuming all your jacks throughout your house are
wired in the standard way with red/green for pair one and yellow/black
for pair two, take the modular box serving your device -- and that
box only! -- and remove the cover. Swap out the red/green to the
terminals where the yellow/black currently terminate and vice-versa.
Now you will be feeding line two into your ancillary device, and
it won't know the difference. Its not so much the numbers one and two
as it is getting the phone feed to the two center pins on your device,
and typically the red/green into the cover of the wall box will do
just that.

Of course you get critters like me who pull these tricks, and then I
need to bring a multi-line phone out of the same wall box for whatever
reason via a duplex connector; I wind up having to open the phone
instrument and swap it back there <grin> else leave the phone line
buttons in backwards order also.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Dave Van Allen)
Subject: Re: FM Subcarrier For Data Transmission
Date: 30 Dec 1994 18:29:59 GMT
Organization: You Tools Corporation/FASTNET


Bill McMullin ([e-mail]) wrote:

>> I am trying to learn more about using FM subcarrier technology to
>> deliver data.  What equipment is involved?  What does it cost?  What
>> (if any) regulations govern its use?

You're talking about using one of the two FM SCA channels to provide a
data broadcast on a specific frequency. In case you don't know, this
is a one-way channel -- out.  You cannot have full duplex. I assume
that you are aware of this.

The equipment involved from the radio station point of view is a SCA
generator, possible some additional monitoring equipment and perhaps
some antenna/RF chain tuning or filtering.  Most FM stations will be
very picky about adding SCA to their signal because it causes both
additional potential interference to the main channel and about a
8-10% loss in available modulation for the main channel.

Program directors hate SCA because they can't get the station as loud
as they can without it (based on the modulation reduction). General
managers look at SCA revenue carefully and will only do it if they
feel that they can get a good buck. A 'good buck' is determined by the
market size and what they station feels they can get. I have seen
SCA's costing 10K per month in some medium size markets.

The only regulations are technical, and shouldn't concern you. Your
issue will be convincing the station to do it, and at a resonable
cost.


Dave Van Allen - You Tools/FASTNET - [e-mail] - [phone]
   -=-=-=- FASTNET(tm) PA/NJ/DE Internet 800-967-2233 -=-=-=-


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Here in Chicago, we have several SCA's
operating on the sub-carriers of FM stations. Two or three that I am
familiar with are the Physician's News Network, a couple that carry
data transmissions, one that is 'elevator music' (Muzak) and another
one known as the Chicagoland Radio Information Service, aka CRIS. This
latter one is a newspaper reading service for persons who are visually
handicapped. If your physician certifies this, CRIS will give you a
free receiver. They are located on the sub-carrier of WBEZ, the public
radio outlet here.

The theory is you are not to listen to SCA unless you are 'authorized'
to do so, ie a subscriber. In that case, you get a crystal-controlled
single-station receiver from the organization or company to whose service
you are subscribing, i.e. 'Muzak'.  Now-a-days, elevator music mostly
goes over wires, but there are still an over-the-air service here and
there operating. That's the theory. In practice however, people who like
to putter around and experiment with radios build their own little SCA
receivers for the fun of it, and its not hard at all. Consider on your
(better quality) FM radio the little red light which goes on when the
station is broadcasting in stereo (which is all the time these days,
but don't laugh, years ago FM stations played monophonic recordings
from pre-1955 when that's all we had to listen to). So the little red
light would go off when the radio station played a monophonic recording
and come on when the station played a stereophonic recording. That
little light is one of the station's sub-carrier frequencies.

So you go to Radio Shack, and get a cheesy little ten dollar pocket
radio with a switch on the back marked AM/FM/AFC. The AFC, or automatic
frequency control, adjusts the radio as needed for drifting signals.
The thing is in larger cities with powerful FM stations, you don't need
that, so we are gonna eliminate it and use that third position on the
switch for SCA. You also need to visit the components rack and get a
chip. So that I am not accused of teaching people how to build pirate
radios and/or non-type accepted equipment (hey, what would this world
be without lots of non-type accepted radio toys in the hands of children
at heart to play with!), I shall be purposefully vague.  You might
look at the 555 chip and see it will do the job. Get a little tiny
socket to mount it in and a tiny little breadboard since it all has to
fit inside the radio.

Now when you get home, open the radio and look in there for the
product detector. Find out for yourself how far up or down off the
main channel is that little red light mentioned above. All the sub-
carrier frequencies are spaced apart from each other in the same way.
You get power to this little installation via the AM/FM/AFC switch
on the radio. When clicked into the AFC position once you are finished,
instead of AM or FM, the radio becomes a *tunable* SCA unit. Whee!!!
Now you get to listen to Muzak free of charge instead of paying the
monthly subscription.

Well, its not quite as glamorous and exciting when finished as it
sounded when you were building (or rather, retrofitting an existing
radio) the unit. For one, why do you think the authorized SCA radios
use crystal control instead of a tuning dial?  Well, the signal is
so -- ahem -- piss poor due to the fact that the SCA is only at about
ten or fifteen percent modulation. The radio will drift constantly
off and on the main channel. You'll hear a constant 'wah wah wah wah'
noise in the background as the main channel modulation bleats at you.
If you are fairly close to the source then the signal will be better.
You must be very nimble at tuning, turning the dial *very* slowly and
eventually locking in the SCA you want to listen to. Even professionally
built SCA tuners have problems with modulation bleedover from the main
channel if the 'regular' station is loud most of the time.

So let's say instead of building an SCA, you happen to find one somewhere
else, maybe from the newspaper reading service for blind people or what
have you. You decide to change the crystal inside to the one which will
play Muzak instead. Gee, guess what?  There is no noise blanker or
silencer/squelch in the unit the blind people use. Their station talks
all day reading the newspapers. The unit built for the Muzak people has
a gizmo inside to silence the speaker when the music stops playing
inbetween selections. So when one Lawrence Welk selection stops and
before the next one begins, the radio sits there and hisses at you. Gee,
that never happens when riding in the elevator does it?  That's because
if you were not so cheap and you paid Muzak their subscription fee each
month they would give you a radio which silences itself inbetween the
songs ... dead silence. Same principle as above, just a couple more
circuits installed.

None the less you can have fun building an SCA receiver out of a regular
radio and listening to it now and then, and its a pretty simple
project, albiet nothing to apply to the FCC for type-acceptance on
when finished.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Bruce Roberts)
Subject: Its Here Again! FCC/Modem Tax
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 17:15:00 GMT
Organization: The Great Escape - Gardena, CA - [phone]


> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: No, I was not aware that this had
> come back again, and I strongly urge anyone reading this to be very
> careful in investigating it *before you send off any letters to
> anyone anywhere*.  It sounds like a replay of the same old crock
> we went through two or three years ago .. or was it five years ago?
> Come to think of it, is this the third or fourth time this thing
> has sprung up?    PAT]

It sounds like the same old crock because it IS the same old crock.
It's popped up two times in the last two months on BBS networks and the
best thing for us to do is send messages indicating it is a hoax and
requesting the files be killed at the source.

The opinions expressed here are all mine - and I'm darn proud of them!
Bruce Roberts, [e-mail]

* RM 1.3 01036 * Sharewear (n.) -- Used clothing.


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Like myself Bruce, you do not give
humble opinions.    PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (NoATT4Me)
Subject: Re: Its Here Again! FCC/Modem Tax
Date: 30 Dec 1994 16:05:24 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Reply-To: [e-mail] (NoATT4Me)


Actually in fairness to Mr. Goodman, it looks like he intended this
message to go to Pat.  I've seen this message posted on several BBS's
in my area as well so it is making its way around.


[e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, he did not mark it 'not for
publication' and in any event, I think it does us good to air out
this thing once in awhile and re-emphasize the nonsense of it all.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Rob Boudrie)
Subject: Re: Flat Rate Cellular Phone Service
Date: 30 Dec 1994 14:34:22 -0500
Organization: Center for High Performance Computing of WPI


> Does anyone know why somebody hasn't started a flat rate cellular
> phone service?  I seems to me that this kind of business would do

Here in Eastern MA, I pay $35 for flat rate between 7pm and 7am,
holidays, and al day on wweekends.  They don't accept new subscribers
on that plan, but have a similar plan with flat rate hours starting at
9PM (and still having weekend flat rate).

> really well, since the users wouldn't have to pay air time.

50 cent a gallon gasoline would go over really well, since drivers
wouldn't have to pay a lot for fuel.  Neither assertion establishes
that it is in the profit maximizing interests of the service provider
to offer such pricing though.

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Portability of 800 Number When Bill Not Paid
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 22:32:31 GMT
Organization: scruz-net


> I want to switch 800 carriers, away from a carrier with whom I have a
> billing dispute.

> Is there any provision in FCC regs that allows the old carrier to
> refuse to release the number to teh new carrier, i.e., to deny
> portability to a new carrier in the case of an unpaid bill?

Robert,

I'm now in process of negotiating such a dispute with one of our
client's former 800 carrier. When we put in the resporg to switch to a
new carrier, they sat on it for months. We simply told our client not
to pay the bills as they came. After four months, and some calls to the
right people in the FCC, they finally released it. Of course, we soon,
thereafter, recieved a letter from their collection agency. We wrote a
letter back stating the violations and refused to pay. They have since
offered to discount the amount by 25%, but we are still refusing to
pay because it would cost them more to fight it in court, where they
stand a good chance of losing anyway.


Kevin T. Smith

TeleSource U.S.A.     Silicon Valley, California
[phone] voice   b(408) 247-1070 fax
[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Rupes)
Subject: Re: Buying GSM-Phones Abroad - a Comment
Date: 30 Dec 1994 19:12:01 -0500
Organization: Concentric Research Corporation


[e-mail] (Sean Leviseur) writes:

> In article <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail].
> Unisys.com> wrote:

>> In some countries GSM service providers subsidize the phones:  you can
>> buy your phone at a very cheap price but at the same time you have to
>> sign a contract with the service provider -- and they charge you extra
>> for a year or two.

> In the UK the price doesn't change from one year to the next. I cannot
> really see why it isn't a good idea to get a new phone every year and
> to sell the old one. If there is a subsidy you may was well take it :-)

Because the subsidy is paid by the operator. You might end up with two
subscriptions and two sets of monthly charges -- which WOULDN'T make
much sense ...

More pragmatically, one of the nice things of GSM is the SIM. What is
the point of having to get a new number every year -- a hassle telling
everyone ...

Finally, whats the point? Even subsidized a new phone is expensive. Do
you really want to shell out a few hundred quid every year just to
have the newest -- and the satisfaction of getting 'a bargain'?


Rupert

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

From: [e-mail] (Ed Goldgehn)
Subject: Re: ISDN Internet Access
Date: 31 Dec 1994 00:34:54 GMT
Organization: The INTERNET Connection, LLC


As a good friend and associate likes to say:

    IT'S THE BANDWIDTH, STUPID!

[For those that are US politics impaired, any association with the U.S.
1992 Presidential Campaign is fully intended.]


Ed Goldgehn

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

Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 13:51:53 -0600
From: [e-mail] (Kelly Breit)
Subject: Re: TIA-Telecom Industry Association


Try the following contact information for the TIA:

Joseph Grimes
Director of Member Relations
Telecommunications Industry Association
2001 Pennsylvania Ave Northwest, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20006-1813
202-457-5430 Direct   202-457-5442 Main
202-457-4939 Fax

Good Luck!


Kelly Breit

International Telecommunications Engineering, Inc.
<Telecommunications Consultants>
6009 Wayzata Blvd., Suite 103 * Minneapolis, MN 55416-1623
612-542-9440 * 612-542-9341 Fax * Internet: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Rupes)
Subject: Re: TIA-Telecom Industry Association
Date: 30 Dec 1994 19:08:20 -0500
Organization: Concentric Research Corporation


[e-mail] (Steve Evans) writes:

> Does anyone have a better phone number for the TIA-Telecom Industry
> Association?  The phone number is "disconnected" per the phone co.
> Maybe they changed their name, or address, or both, or?  I think it
> was valid within the last year. Thanks!

> Telecom Industry Association
> 2500 Wilson Blvd   Suite 300
> Arlington, VA 22201
> Tel: [phone]   (NOT!)

I was trying to ring them in late Dec. They have moved, but the new
phone system will not operational until -- I think -- Jan 6th.

I'm not sure, but that *looks* like the new, as yet not operational
number.  The old  is still connected to voicemail -- I left a
message and got a call back later that day.

If you want I can post the numbers (new and old) next week when I get
back to work.


Rupert Baines


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I received a call from someone Friday
morning who said the same thing as Mr. Baines. I forget who called.
The thing is, the number shown above will be operational again sometime
around the first week in January when the move is completed.  PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #479
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #480

TELECOM Digest     Fri, 30 Dec 94 23:53:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 480

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Telco T1 --> RJ-45 Pinout? (Suresh Rajagopalan)
    Chip-Cards (Lars Kalsen)
    Digital Voice Answerer? (Norbert Langbecker)
    Address/Phone Number for Hutchinson Telecom in Hong Kong? (Laurence Chiu)
    Re: What is a T1 Line? (Joseph H. Allen)
    Re: Pinouts on RJ11 Plugs on Modems (John Dearing)
    500 Number Call Charges (Lars Nohling)
    Re: 911 From Unactivated Cell Phone? (Thomas Peters)
    Re: PC-Based Voice Mail Systems (John W. Barrus)
    Re: PC-Based Voice Mail Systems (Doug H. Brown)
    How To Find Your Number (Skip Menzies)
    Re: Telephone Directory For Entire United States (Steve E. Witham)
    Re: FM Sub-Carrier For Data Transmission (Brian Roy)
    Re: FM Sub-Carrier For Data Transmission (Dave Van Allen)
    Re: Metropolitan Area Networks in USA (Hendrik Rood)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'.

Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual
readers. Write and tell us how you qualify:

                 * [e-mail] *

The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
or phone at:
                    9457-D Niles Center Road
                     Skokie, IL USA   60076
                       Phone: [phone]
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  ** Article submission address only: [e-mail] **

Our archives are located at lcs.mit.edu and are available by using
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use the information service, just ask.

*************************************************************************
*   TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the              *
* International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland    *
* under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES)   *
* project.  Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-*
* ing views of the ITU.                                                 *
*************************************************************************

Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such
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is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per
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All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Suresh Rajagopalan)
Subject: Telco T1 --> RJ-45 Pinout?
Date: 30 Dec 1994 21:27:55 -0800
Organization: Cinenet Communications,Internet Access,Los Angeles;310-301-4500


I am looking for the pinout from a Telco T-1 to a RJ-45 connector.

Any help is appreciated.


Suresh

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

From: [e-mail] (Lars Kalsen)
Subject: Chip-Cards
Date: 30 Dec 94 12:31:01 GMT
Organization: DKnet


Hi outthere - and happy holidays!

If you are interested in discussing chip-cards (also called
SmartCards) you should join the worldwide discussions between experts
about this in the newsgroup:

                   alt.technology.smartcards
                   -------------------------

A chipcard is a creditcard (or a another card of that size) where the mag-
netic stripe is replaced by a chip. The chip could be:

                 - a memory only
                 - a memory plus a processor

This emerging technology have a lot of possible applicaions in many areas,
e.g.:

                 - telecommunications
                 - security
                 - idenfication
                 - TV and video
                 - payment
                 - health care

Of course there are an ongoing standardization of the cards.

Holiday greetings from Denmark.


Lars Kalsen, Partner and Director                   Tel.  [phone]
IT-gruppen, Brorsonsvej 19, 9490 Pandrup, Denmark   Mobil.+45 40 10 36 44
E-mail: [e-mail]                         Fax.  [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Norbert Langbecker)
Subject: Digital Voice Answerer?
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 19:51:42 MST
Organization: Primenet


My wife has to answer the phone all day long with a long winded
greeting. Are there any digital playback devices she could use to do
this? This would have to easily connect through the modular handset
jack and not interrupt normal phone usage after the announcement is
made.


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: We had a discussion of something like
this a couple weeks ago here and how telco operators record their
answer phrases for use hundreds of times daily. For the use of the
general public, I generally recommend companies like Hello Direct for
relatively hard to find gimmicks. You can reach them to get a copy
of their catalog by calling 1-800-HI-HELLO.  They might have something
like this.    PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Laurence Chiu)
Subject: Address/Phone Number For Hutchinson Telecom in Hong Kong?
Date: 30 Dec 1994 12:49:58 -0800
Organization: CRL Dialup Internet Access  [phone]  [Login: guest]


Since I might be moving to HK could anyone provide me with the phone
number or fax number of Hutchinson Telecom (or whatever they are
called).  I had heard they are an AMPS cellular provider in HK and I
would like to know if my phone could be used there should I move (not
roam but a permanent connection).


Thanks,

Laurence Chiu               [e-mail]
Walnut Creek, California    Tel (work) [phone]

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

From: [e-mail] (Joseph H Allen)
Subject: Re: What is a T1 Line?
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Sat, 31 Dec 1994 01:57:47 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, James Carlson  <carlson@xylogics.
com> wrote:

> In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Matthew P. Downs)
> writes:

>> These filters are not to limit your modem
>> speeds, but to protect you 64 kbps channel from others.  So you don't
>> hear the cross talk on your line!

> Not quite; there's no way one DS0 can interfere with another, and
> there's no such thing as cross-talk at the digital level.

Wrong; digital is always a statistical quantity in this analog world.
Cross-talk certainly is possible between digital lines.  If you put
two wires next to each other, there is always some amount of
cross-talk between them.  As the cross-talk interference increases,
the probability of a pulse being screwed up (or the digital error
rate) increases.

In fact Pulse Code Modulation (digital) without any error detection
has almost the same interference properties as FM radio.  If two FM
stations are close, there will be noise.  If they are really close,
you'll hear both stations at once and lots of noise.

> The analog filters are there to prevent aliasing, which is an objectionable
> beat frequency which appears in the spectrum when the Nyquist limit is
> exceeded by any component of the signal.

There's a 4KHz low pass filter before the A/D converter for this.
There's also a ~100KHz low-pass filter between the A/D converter and
the line to limit the edge rate of the digital pulses.  Cross-talk is
more severe at higher frequencies, so limiting the unnecessary high-
frequencies caused by fast edges helps reduce cross-talk.


[e-mail] (192.74.137.5)  Joseph H. Allen

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

From: [e-mail] (John Dearing)
Subject: Re: Pinouts on RJ11 Plugs on Modems
Date: 31 Dec 1994 03:28:48 GMT
Organization: Netaxs Internet BBS and Shell Accounts


Lockie Martin ([e-mail]) wrote:

> Can any of you telco people out there tell me the pinouts for the RJ11
> plugs that appear on the back of most modems?

> |------|
> | 1234 |
> |      |
> |      |
> |-|  |-|

The "pins" you have identified as two and three are the tip and ring
for the modem.  They connect the modem to the telephone line.

The pins you identified as one and four either aren't used at all
(most cases) or in some modems are used for what is called "A-Lead
supervision" when the modem is connected thru 1A2 key equipment.

Hope this helps!


John Dearing ([e-mail])

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

Date: Fri, 30 Dec 94 21:38 EST
From: Lars Nohling <[e-mail]>
Subject: 500 Number Call Charges


When someone calls one of these new 1-500 numbers how is the cost computed
for the person making the call?

If my mother calls me on a 500 number that rings my house does it cost
one of us the same amount as the normal message units or do we save
money?


Lars


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: You don't save money using a 500 number.
How it is billed depends on how the owner has it configured. Subscribers
get PINs they can hand out to friends or business associates or whatever
allowing the charges to be reversed. I think when the connection is made
to the 500 switch, the caller is prompted to enter a PIN number to
reverse the charges or to specify how they wish to be billed.     PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Thomas Peters)
Subject: Re: 911 From Unactivated Cell Phone?
Date: 30 Dec 1994 17:44:19 GMT
Organization: Hughes Network Systems Inc.


Another consideration is that, like an emergency flashlight whose
batteries are dead, a cellular phone which is only used in rare
emergencies and never tested may not work when the big moment comes.

This discussion is valuable for another reason. Even if you have
service you might be in a dead spot in the network during an
emergency. You can switch your phone to the other carrier (A or B in
the USA) and call 911 -- if you learn how in advance.

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

From: [e-mail] (John W. Barrus)
Subject: Re: PC-Based Voice Mail Systems
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 08:41:26 -0500
Organization: Mitsubishi Electric Research Labs


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

> Who can tell me about PC-based voice mail systems?  I'm not talking
> about the cheezy little programs that come with these new
> voice/data/fax modems, I'm thinking more about real multi-line voice
> mail systems (preferrably not requiring to be used with a particular
> kind of phone system).  ROLM PhoneMail is nice, but *way* more
> expensive than I can afford.  I'm searching for other (much cheaper)
> options.

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, you should not forget about Dialogic.
> They seem to have good quality stuff.   PAT]

There is a company called Stylus Innovation, Inc. in Cambridge MA
[phone].  They make a $500 voice mail development system called
Visual Voice which works with Dialogic boards or compatibles and the
new MWAVE boards (single line Fax/Voice/Modem).  Visual Voice includes
a "Voice Workbench" for recording and managing the voice replies and
voice queries, and a VBX for programming voice response applications
in Visual Basic and Visual C++.  It's a nice system, easy to program
and comes with several example applications in Visual Basic including
a voice mail system and a fax-back application.  Best of all - NO
royalties on distributed applications.

I have used this and a few other voice application development tools
and this is my favorite.

Dialogic boards plug into PC's and can be purchased in flavors that
connect to T1 or POTS lines.  Stylus also sells the Dialogic boards if
you prefer one stop shopping.


John Barrus

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

From: [e-mail] (Doug H. Brown)
Subject: Re: PC-Based Voice Mail Systems
Date: 30 Dec 1994 16:27:04 GMT
Organization: Cabletron Systems Inc.


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

(edited, see above message)

Try Microlog Corporation, Germantown, MD.  They have a PC-based system
that integrates Dialogic products.  [phone].


Douglas Browm, Firmware Engineer       [e-mail]
Cabletron Systems
Rochester, NH                          [phone]

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

Date: Fri, 30 Dec 94 16:39:58 PST
From: R. Jagannathan <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: <[e-mail]>
Subject: Obtaining the GLU System


Finally ...

GLU can now be obtained from SRI.

Please see http://www.csl.sri.com/glu/html/software using Mosaic for
details.

If you have any questions, please contact me.


Regards,

R. Jagannathan                phone: [phone]
SRI International (MailStop EL-280)    fax:   [phone]
Computer Science Laboratory        email: [e-mail]
333 Ravenswood Avenue    www: http://www.csl.sri.com/jagan/personal.html
Menlo Park, California 94025, U.S.A

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

From: [e-mail] (Skip Menzies)
Subject: How to Find Your Number
Date: 30 Dec 1994 03:32:43 GMT
Organization: University of Maryland, College Park


I have been having a problem locating the correct phone line.  I
understand that there is a way to dial a number on the line you are
attached to, and the computer at the exchange will give you the line
number.  Is this possible, and how do you get the correct number to
dial?


Thanks,

Skip


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: The number we know of currently for
this purpose is 1-800-MY-ANI-IS.  These numbers come and go and
all to often get disconnected soon after they are turned on, but
it was working as of Friday night, a few minutes ago.    PAT]

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

From: smds![e-mail] (Steve E. Witham)
Subject: Re: Telephone Directory for Entire United States?
Organization: SMDS Inc.
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 16:54:54 GMT


In article <[e-mail]>, Benjamin P. Carter <bpc@netcom.
com> wrote:

> [100,000,000 phone book entries at 30 bytes each...] we
> obtain the estimate: 3000 Megabytes.  That is a BIG database.  It
> won't fit on a CD-ROM.

No, but it will fit on the five CDs of "Select Phone," which I just
bought.  5 x 600M = 3000M.

> Chances are that such a database, if it exists, is owned by some
> outfit that charges exorbitant dollars per minute to allow you to
> access it.

Well, I guess this is a case of "You get what you pay for," since I
paid $78 for the combination of Select Phone and Street Map USA.

> The CD-ROM directories I have seen cover either business or residential
> phones (not both) and cover only a subset of states.

This seems to be businesses and residences in all 50 states, but as
Mr.  Carter says, inaccurate, incomplete, obsolete and ...

> mangled in various ways.

Still, it's a taste of omniscience.  Street Map is nice, though the
interface is a little clunky.


Steve

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

From: [e-mail] (Brian Roy)
Subject: Re: FM Subcarrier For Data Transmission
Date: 30 Dec 1994 22:57:03 -0500
Organization: The Greater Columbus Freenet


TELECOM Digest Editor noted:

> None the less you can have fun building an SCA receiver out of a regular
> radio and listening to it now and then, and its a pretty simple
> project, albiet nothing to apply to the FCC for type-acceptance on
> when finished.  PAT]

Pat, could you use one of those full coverage scanners for this, like
the ones that AOR puts out, or am I completely not understanding the
concept?

Of course, it is more fun to build your own.


Brian Roy KB8TEY    [e-mail]
"Type acceptance, we don't need no steenking type acceptance"
             WARNING: NON PC WORD  ^^^^^^^^^ don't bother suing, I'm broke


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I don't know about scanners. You do need
a radio with the FM broadcast band. The bigger and fancier it is, I
guess the more bandspread you have and the more room to fit a few
extra components inside it. One of the little pocket radios is not
easy to work with because everything is so crammed up inside it, and
the tuning dial gets all of an inch or so for dozens of FM stations.

Yes, it is fun to build your own. A very pleasant afternoon can be had
building any sort of radio receiver. A couple of the neighborhood kids
ages 11-12 came over here a couple days ago and I spent the afternoon
teaching them how to build a crystal radio using a couple of the Radio
Shack kits.

Another fun gimmick with radio is build a transmitter using an old
tube-style receiver. Yes, there are still a few around ... gotta be
tubes and not transistors. Bearing in mind that all receivers are in
fact also transmitters of sorts -- they all have an IF or intermediate
frequency used internally -- and that some of those old radio tubes
were really potent, you make a little jack into which you plug your
audio source.  That might be a microphone or a tape player or
whatever. Having a little pre-amp helps. Now inside the old radio, you
find that IF, and snip the wire which sends it out the usual way. Send
it instead through the tube and up a makeshift antenna. A thin piece
of wire will work, but more about antennas in a minute.  Use the tuning
dial on the front of the radio to diddle the frequency up to somewhere
where you won't interfere with other (legit) stations, nor they with
you. For both potential long range and convenience later in cutting an
antenna, I tuned to 1620 kilocycles. 1600 has a station, 1610 is the
expressway traffic service, and 1630 is some navigational beacons out
in Lake Michigan.

When the kids were here the other day, we used an old Philco table
radio I had found in a garbage bin a month or so ago.  It works fine,
but some fool had tossed it out because the electrical plug was mostly
broken off.

Now start the music, and get your little portable radio in hand and
ready to go. Modulation is the name of the game -- you sure won't get
far otherwise with *maybe* half a watt -- so let's play an old 1949
recording of E. Power Biggs made at Columbia University entitled
{French Organ Music}. When it finishes, it will start over again, and
again.  We were able to walk about a block down the street with the
little portable transistor radio tuned to 1620 and hear the music.
After that, for about two blocks more if we listened closely, we could
hear the music in the background buried under a lot of hash.

But as I explained to the kids, antennas are 85-90 percent of what
radio is all about. A very cheap radio will talk loud and clear and
sound great with a good antenna; conversely the best radio in the world
will -- as the CB'ers phrase it -- sound like pooh when you go to get
those radio checks if your antenna is not cut correctly, to say nothing
of potentially harming the radio -- blowing out the final, or worse if
the power is sufficiently high. Now we know that the antenna length has
a direct relationship to the frequency (or cycles, or number of times
the wave travels at the speed of light from one end of the antenna to
the other). Full wave antennas in the US broadcast band would be obscenely
long, and quarter-waves will do okay for our project. A quarter-wave at
1620 kilocycles is still a few hundred feet in length, so let's find
something we can use ... hmmm ....

In my phone box in the basement there are pairs going back to the
telephone exchange ... a distance of some three thousand feet. So let's
attach the antenna from our old Philco receiver turned transmitter to
one of the pairs <wink> ... no one will ever know the difference, seriously.
RF can travel on the phone pair; it gets along fine with telco's thing.
So we found an idle pair and hooked it up.

Start the music and let's go again. Since its the holiday season and all,
this time a recording of Gustalf Holst's {Choral Fantasy on Christmas Day}
provided the modulation. Interesting music as several traditional carols
are heard in vertical juxtaposition; that is, men's voices singing The
First Nowell while women's voices are singing God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen.
We got three blocks before we were unable to easily hear the signal and
then we moved into the alley and started following the telephone poles.
Even when we were getting only static and hash about a half-mile from my
house, whenever we stopped at a telephone pole and held the radio right
next to the pole with the antenna upward to the wires we'd hear that
music in the background. Since the kids live only a few doors from me
we went to their house and they turned on *their* radio to insure I was
not playing some tricks on them -- and when they could hear the very same
thing from their loudspeakers they were just thrilled.

That's radio!  A fun, very mysterious thing. I've used CB radios with
only two watts -- but great modulation -- to 'work skip' and talk all over
the world, to the consternation of people who have seen me do it. They
cannot understand how it is possible .. and frankly at times, neither
can I. *Why* radio waves go where they go as far as they go at times is
anyone's guess.  Have fun with a radio soon!       PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Dave Van Allen)
Subject: Re: FM Subcarrier For Data Transmission
Date: 31 Dec 1994 05:15:04 GMT
Organization: You Tools Corporation/FASTNET


Dave Van Allen ([e-mail]) wrote:

>> Bill McMullin ([e-mail]) wrote:

>>> I am trying to learn more about using FM subcarrier technology to
>>> deliver data.

>> The equipment involved from the radio station point of view is a SCA
>> generator, possible some additional monitoring equipment and perhaps
>> some antenna/RF chain tuning or filtering.

>> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Here in Chicago, we have several SCA's
>> operating on the sub-carriers of FM stations.

[incomplete brew-your-own-SCA receiver plans delteted]

>> None the less you can have fun building an SCA receiver out of a regular
>> radio and listening to it now and then, and its a pretty simple
>> project, albiet nothing to apply to the FCC for type-acceptance on
>> when finished.  PAT]

Well, it's a pretty simple project for one skilled in the art, but I
wouldn't say it's as easy as a stop at Radio Shack.

Todays SCA at mostly digital, due to the fact that frequency response
and a high S/N ratio makes "quality" analog audio hard to come by.
I've installed a number of both analog and digital SCA's in my time,
and with a little work, you can keep the main channel and both SCA's
clear of each other. Because of the fact that most installs are
digital, your plans for a quick n' dirty SCA receiver won't invoke
much pleasure to the eaves-dropper :-)


*Dave Van Allen - You Tools/FASTNET - [e-mail] - [phone]
       -=-=-=- FASTNET(tm) PA/NJ/DE Internet 800-967-2233 -=-=-=-


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Well, I can't really imagine anyone
even *wanting* to spend much time listening to stuff via SCA. It is
all rather specialized and dreary. Even the Muzak is not very good.
For about ten years I produced thrice-weekly programs on Chicago history
called 'Traces of Chicago' for the Chicago Public Library which were
aired on the CRIS channel. In those days I listened to the station
a lot, but not any longer.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Hendrik Rood)
Subject: Re: Metropolitan Area Networks in USA
Date: 31 Dec 1994 04:59:25 GMT
Organization: Hendrik's Humble Home Hero


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] says:

> I need urgently as much as possible informations about Metropolitan Area
> Networks in USA. The more important questions are:

> 1. What is the architecture of MAN (physical layer - FDDI, B-ISDN; protocols)

A MAN is a ring network in a city/region which deploys the
QPSX-protocol (IEEE 802.6). The physical layer is a standard
Telecom-trunk, most used is T3 (45 Mbit/s) in USA and E3 (34 Mbit/s)
or E4 (140 Mbit/s) in Europe.

A MAN uses cells (cell-relay) of 53 octets, the same size as ATM.  Due
to heritage to an earlier version of the ATM cell-format the header of
the MAN cell slightly differs. But that can be managed by your
operator. So you can connect with future ATM-networks over a MAN.

> 2. Do banks participate and use MAN? In which way?

I don't know for the US but in Germany, Frankfurt yes!

> 3. What type of network services are most popular?

As far as I know, SMDS.

> 4. Who is the main investor?

Question is not clear, clarify please?  Suppliers? Siemens, Alcatel
and protocol-founder QPSX from Australia (also in the USA).

> 5. What level of data security is provided?

About the same as in Virtual Private Networks over X.25 and Frame
Relay.  Except for equipment malfunctioning cells are only routed to
the correct destination and not broadcasted of the MAN-ring outside
the required group.


Hendrik Rood

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #480
******************************


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From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest (Patrick Townson))
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #481

TELECOM Digest     Sat, 31 Dec 94 02:20:00 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 481

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Re: ISDN Internet Access (Hendrik Rood)
    Re: Roll Over/Hunt Group (Hendrik Rood)
    Re: NYNEX Ringmate and Modems (John Levine)
    Pager/Cellular Resellers Wanted (Chris Mork)
    Re: Information Wanted on NEC 2000 Switch (Jason Davis)
    Need Information on Data Lines in West Africa (Allan Sutton)
    Standard 19 Inches Network Relay Rack (Jocelyn Poulin)
    Availability of Inter-City Telephone Traffic Data (Prakash Thatte)
    Procedure for Obtaining a 10XXX Code (Prakash Thatte)
    Telecom Jobs in Pittsburgh (Eric Anderson)
    Re: Mobile and Paging Internet Sources (David S. Rose)
    E-Mail Software in Movie "Disclosure" (Rick Broadhead)
    Re: New Years Internet Parties (James Bellaire)
    That's It, Folks! (TELECOM Digest Editor)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere
there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of
public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America
On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
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Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual
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The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick
Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax
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                     Skokie, IL USA   60076
                       Phone: [phone]
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*************************************************************************
*   TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the              *
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*************************************************************************

Additionally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such
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All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any
organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages
should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Hendrik Rood)
Subject: Re: ISDN Internet Access
Date: 31 Dec 1994 04:35:35 GMT
Organization: Hendrik's Humble Home Hero


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (L S
Ng) says:

> What is ISDN? Here is my definition:

> The old telephone line is a pair of copper wires with a 3.5kHz low
> pass filter attached at the local exchange/central office.

Pupin or Load Coils are only installed on very long lines (more than five
km).

> ISDN is the same old pair of copper wires with the low pass filter
> removed!

And a very different card in the telephone exchange.

> And the telephone companies charged you heavily (in some countries)
> for removing the low pass filter.

Nonsense as clear from the above.

> The low pass filter serves two functions:

> 1. (original) remove high frequency noise to improve signal to noise
> ratio in speech (also anti-aliasing etc.)

Load Coils have a history back to the beginning of telephony, digital
was then not invented yet so "anti-aliasing?????"

> 2. (now) limit the bandwidth hence channel capacity (bit rate) you can
> get over the same old pair of copper wire.

> This is the evil intention of telephone companies. 3.5kHz will give
> you at most 30kbps capacity assuming about 10bits/Hz at 26 dB signal
> to noise ratio (signal 400 times stronger than noise) [ Use Shannon's
> formula:

>  channel capacity (bps) = Bandwidth x log2 (1 + SNR)

> So by simply removing the 3.5kHz LPF, you get much wider bandwidth,
> and hence higher bit rate.  The practical maximum you can get is a few
> Mega bits per second.

Local Loop cables are since the beginning of the thirties (yes 1930)
specified up to 1 MHz.

> 192kbps for ISDN is nothing!! And yet the evil telephone companies
> charge you hefty sum for just that!

The expenses are in the Electronics in the exchange, not in the local
loop also the software for ISDN from the exchange manufacturer costs
lots of money.

> Some telephone companies have already planned to use the capacity to
> transmit video/broadcast TV.

PTT Telecom Netherlands has transmitted in the sixties Analog TV over
two pairs of twisted wires (Black and White TV). With 1 MHz bandwith
you get about VCR (VHS) quality. It has been forbidden by the
government because they implemented a coax-based cable-tv policy not
provided by the phone company.

> So don't you believe they already have this technology and they want
> to hold it back for making more money?

There are only two providers of this technology and they sell the
equipment extremely expensive (a number with four zeroes!).

But the hold back is everywhere (US, UK, NL) caused by government
policy. They don't allow telcos to go in the video-business.

> Last month, British Telecom's plan for broadcast TV over the old phone line
> was blocked by the British government. This is a sound proof that they
> already have the technology to give it cheaply to consumers.

Yes, trail systems handmade by university degree technicians (this
makes the high price).

> Telephone consumers are fooled by the evil telephone companies because
> it is very easy to get fooled in this extremely complicated business
> full of jargons which serve this purpose!

Bullshit!


Hendrik Rood


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Har har har har!  Bravo!  Poor Mr. Ng ...
so many users have dumped all over him in the past few days; I really
have to wonder if I should run any more of his articles here.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Hendrik Rood)
Subject: Re: Roll Over/Hunt Group
Date: 31 Dec 1994 04:47:20 GMT
Organization: Hendrik's Humble Home Hero


In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Jon
Zeeff) says:

> Ameritech tells me that they cannot roll over a trunk hunt where
> instead of starting with line one and picking the first free one, it
> always takes the next one after the last used one (ie, a circular
> hunt).  Maybe I didn't use the right terminology.  Does anyone know
> why they couldn't do this?

Even when this is possible it is very stupid to do circular hunting with
a standard trunk and a rollover trunk. What happens is simple described:

Suppose: Main trunk eight circuits
         Rollover trunk four circuits.

Circular hunting results after at most eight incoming calls in usage
of the rollover trunk. Even when circuits on the main trunk are
released again.

This means that with circular hunting your rollover does not act as a
rollover anymore but simply as a trunk.  I can understand software
writers of exchange manufacturers that block such a setup in their
code :-).


Hendrik Rood

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

From: [e-mail] (John Levine)
Subject: Re: NYNEX Ringmate and Modems
Date: Sat, 31 Dec 94 05:16:28 GMT


I've had RingMate here in Cambridge, Mass., for several years.  Works
great -- I have three numbers, voice, data, and fax.  I have a little
box in the basement that separates out the three ring patterns onto
three separate lines that I then wire separately throughout the house.

I have an Autoline Plus from ITS in Endicott NY.  This kind of box is
generically known as a "ring leader" and is widely available.  They
work better than conventional fax switches since they do all of their
work before the phone is answered.


Regards,

John Levine, [e-mail]
Primary perpetrator of "The Internet for Dummies"

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

From: [e-mail] (Chris Mork)
Subject: Pager/Cellular Resellers Wanted
Date: 30 Dec 1994 11:17:08 -0500
Organization: Internet Access Cincinnati 513-887-8877


Does anyone have info on resellers or MLMers of pagers and cellular?
I currently work with a variety of LD carriers and want to expand into
more of a "telecom consultant" who can offer ALL telcom related
services (i.e. page,cell,fax,ads on hold, etc ...)

Anybody, suggestions?


Chris Mork    [e-mail]

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

From: Jason Davis <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Information Wanted on NEC 2000 Switch
Date: Sat, 31 Dec 1994 01:28:25 -0500
Organization: Delphi ([e-mail] email, 800-695-4005 voice)


I just installed one, nice system.  This one was equiped with 256
ports and three T1 interfaces.  SMDR and voice Mail also. Great looking
rack mounted with patch panels.

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

Date: Sat, 31 Dec 1994 00:08:16 CST
From: Allan Sutton <[e-mail]>
Subject: Need Information on Data Lines in West Africa


We have a potential client who would like us to help him connect one
or more African offices. However, we have never done any work outside
of the US, so I am looking for advice on how we might proceed.

The client will need at least a 56Kb line to carry data between widely
separated points in West Africa. As I see it, our options are to try
to set up a land line (which would have to go through several countries)
or a satellite link.

If anyone has any insights, or could recommend a company specializing
in this sort of thing, I would be very appreciative. I will be glad to
post a summary if there is any interest.


Thanks,

Allan Sutton   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jocelyn Poulin)
Subject: Standard 19 Inches Network Relay Rack
Date: Fri, 30 Dec 1994 19:53:28
Organization: Northern Telecom


Hello to everybody,

I need help of a person who know a US or Canadien supplier (name and
phone number) for the following type of equipment:

Standards 19 in widths open frame rack (network relay rack with
universal EIA hole spacing) certified for earthquake Zone 4 (California).


Thanks,

Jocelyn

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

From: [e-mail] (Prime perf)
Subject: Availability of Inter-City Telephone Traffic Data
Date: 30 Dec 1994 23:50:23 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Prime perf)


Is there any way to obtain the number and duration of calls made in
any given month between cities A, B and C regardless of the carrier
used? Does it make any difference if the three cities are in the same
state or in different states?

Please respond via E-Mail.


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I think you would have to ask all the
carriers independently and then -- if they chose to tell you -- add
all the figures together.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Prime perf)
Subject: Procedure for Obtaining a 10XXX Code
Date: 30 Dec 1994 23:50:30 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Prime perf)


Does anyone know the procedure for obtaining a 10XXX code? Where does
one begin? What FCC forms and regulations are involved? Having
obtained a 10XXX code, how does one get it incorporated into the PSTN?

Please respond via E-Mail direct. I will post a synopsis.


Prakash Thatte

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

From: Eric Anderson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Telecom Jobs in Pittsburgh
Date: 30 Dec 1994 20:15:35 GMT
Organization: Massachvsetts Institvte of Technology


My wife and I are considering relocation to Pittsburgh, PA.  She
currently works as a marketing/product manager in the telecommunica-
tions area.  She sells software applications to telecom providers.
(Baby Bells, etc.)  She has a MSEE, but is not a developer.  Any info
on the Telecom industry in Pittsburgh would be appreciated.


Eric    (please email directly to [e-mail])

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Mobile & Paging Internet Sources
Date: Sat, 31 Dec 94 02:00:12 -0500
Organization: Delphi ([e-mail] email, 800-695-4005 voice)


<[e-mail]> writes:

> Anyone have a good list of Internet sources regarding mobile
> communications, particularly paging and SMR?

Well, we're just in the process of bringing our web server online, but
you can start getting information on our paging products by pointing
your browser to "http://www.exmachina.com/exmachina".


David S. Rose    Ex Machina, Inc.

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

Date: Sat, 31 Dec 1994 02:37:46 -0500
From: Rick Broadhead <[e-mail]>
Subject: E-Mail Software in Movie "Disclosure"


I just returned from the theatre, where I saw "Disclosure" starring
Michael Douglas and Demi Moore.

I was intrigued by the e-mail software that Michael Douglas' character
had on his desk (which was apparently linked to the Internet).

Can anyone tell me if this is production software or just special
effects?  Any information or leads would be appreciated.


Thanks,

Rick Broadhead
Co-Author, The Canadian Internet Handbook (Prentice Hall)
[phone]       [e-mail]


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Mr. Broadhead's book is a very good,
very valuable addition to the growing library of reference materials
on the Internet. Although definitly a 'must have' volume for Canadian
users, after reviewing the copy he sent me several months ago it is
my belief USA readers also should have a copy for reference.   PAT]

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

Date: Fri, 30 Dec 94 23:56 EST
From: [e-mail] (James Bellaire)
Subject: Re: New Years Internet Parties

Ah yes, a party on the Internet, the international superhighway.
After reading the comments of sober contributers in this moderated
digest for the past year or so I can't wait to see how fired up
intoxicated netters can get.  I'm sure there will be many accidents
that will have tempers and email burning into the new year.

So remember, even if you stay in the comfort of your own house and
party on the Internet, drive safely.  Sometimes casual comments at a
party can haunt you for months to come.  Think before you drink and
type, and forgive those who fire you up.  Either that or be prepared
for the flames in your mailbox.

Thank you to Pat Townson for hosting this year of TELECOM Digest; I
hope you will be able to continue well into the next century.  Thanks
for posting my comments, however trivial, and for ignoring the ones
that didn't belong.  You seem to have struck a balance between too
much gab and not enough meaning.

And thanks to the regulars who make this forum so informative, keeping
us on the path to truth and away from fiction.  And to those who break
the technical monotones with your humor and telecom history.  And to
those who provide the international input that makes this a world wide
publication.  And to those who wrote once, and got the answer they
needed.

And a special thanks to those who support Pat in his efforts.  I
consider this Digest shareware NOT freeware.  I'm sure Pat will
apreciate those who agree and support the digest financially.


Happy New Year everyone!!!

[e-mail]     James E. Bellaire


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Blush:  Thank you very much for your kind
comments to close this year.  There is so much still I want to do to
make this a quality e-journal; I see things wrong with it that the
rest of you miss -- or perhaps you generously choose to overlook --
that I want to correct. The Telecom Archives needs a lot of work and
likewise the subscription list needs considerable updating at this
time. These things, along with the Digest itself have only been
possible in recent years because of the generosity of so many of you
who have chosen to help in one way or another.    PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (TELECOM Digest Editor)
Subject: That's It, Folks!
Date: Sat, 31 Dec 1994 01:50:00 CST


With this message, another year and another volume of TELECOM Digest is
concluded. When we next get together, Volume 15 will be shown in the
masthead. This past year we had fewer issues than usual, and this was
due to several things: my illness in late October/early November took
me off line completely for over a week, and left me with limited time
and strength for a couple weeks following. Earlier this year there were
some frankly overwhelming financial problems that brought Digest output
to a halt for a couple days at a time on a few occassions. Would you
believe a couple years ago we had over a thousand issues in one year?

Also this past year I made up my mind that the Digest would be more
or less a full time employer for me, but since my employer refused to
pay me a salary -- he claimed he did not have the money!  <grin> --
I've taken on a variety of odd, part-time jobs which, depending on the
time of day and days of the week involved have cut into Digest production
somewhat. A few times I have come home and frankly been so tired I just
went right to bed. This past year there were easily enough messages in
the queue to publish a thousand issues or more. The actual count of
messages received was in excess of 54,000. That averages out to about
150 messages per day. About 6000 of these were used -- that's just a
guess as I have not calculated it all yet -- or about ten percent of
the total. Every message was read and considered. Did you know that
when this Digest first started in 1981 -- and for that matter clear
through the end of 1988 -- there were typically enough messages in
the mail that an issue of the Digest could be sent out every two or
three days; we got two or three peices of mail some days and perhaps
five peices other days. Do any of you long-time readers remember the
first time there was a 'double issue' on the same day, that is two
separate mailings?  Now you see how when time permits, it is possible
you will receive four, five or six issues of the Digest in a day's
time ... and that's by using only maybe half the mail in the backlogged
queue.

I would like to remind all readers that beginning January 1, 1995, the
Digest has a subscription fee in the form of a suggested donation of
twenty dollars per reader per year. This is merely a suggestion; you
are under no obligation to pay anything. Editorial content is in *no
way* connected with the finances here; what you have to say has no
relationship to your ability and/or willingness to help keep the
Digest alive financially. As Mr. Bellaire points out in the message
before this, the TELECOM Digest and Archives are intended as
shareware, not freeware. If you like what you see here, and it is
beneficial to you, then please share as you are able.

I would also like to thank the International Telecommunication Union
in Switzerland for its continued financial support of the Digest.
Without the help of ITU, I frankly don't believe I would have been
able to publish as much as I have this year. Likewise, thanks is
due to Northwestern University and the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology for their continued support of the Digest by allowing me
to publish and archive the Digest at their facilities.

Happy New Year!  See ya in a couple days.  That's it, folks.


Patrick Townson

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End of TELECOM Digest V14 #481
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