Telecom/1996-04-telecom-walnutcreek.iso/back.issues/recent.single.issues/V16_#20

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From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 17 20:28:16 1996
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Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #20

TELECOM Digest     Wed, 17 Jan 96 20:28:00 EST    Volume 16 : Issue 20

Inside This Issue:                          Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Book Review: "Civilizing Cyberspace" by Miller (Rob Slade)
    Re: ARMIS and Tariff Info on Disk or CD-ROM ([e-mail])
    Cell Phone Rates On Their Way Down; Smart Phone (Edupage via Monty Solomon)
    Internet Scams (Chicago Tribune via Tad Cook)
    Computer Intelligence Society Telecom Archives ([e-mail])
    Ethernet Over 23GHZ Microwawe Radio Links (Gilles Rech)
    BC Tel Offers Access to US 800 Numbers (Ian Angus)
    Possible/Probable to Run ADSL With Higher Bandwitdth? (Bradley Ward Allen)
    Looking for Telephony Solution (Michael Davis)
    Jan CT Magazine Recommended Two line Phoneworks (Kingsley G. Morse Jr.)
    Seeking Cable-TV Discussions (Henrik Ebeklint)
    PCS Caused EMI (Alfonso C. Fuller, Jr.)
    Phone Boards For SGI (Mark Fanty)
    How to Contact NPA Carriers For Vanity Numbers (Glenn A. McComb)
    Foreign Exchange in Oregon (Kevin Paul Herbert)
    Motorola 550 Nicad Batteries (Gordon Wilson)
    Fiber Optic T1 Line vs. Copper T1 Line (Cameron Anderson)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
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should not be considered any official expression by the organization.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Wed, 17 Jan 1996 14:56:27 EST
From: Rob Slade <[e-mail]>
Subject: Book Review: "Civilizing Cyberspace" by Miller


BKCVLCYB.RVW   960108

"Civilizing Cyberspace", Steven E. Miller, 1996, 0-201-84760-4, U$26.85
%A   Steven E. Miller [e-mail]
%C   1 Jacob Way, Reading, MA   01867-9984
%D   1996
%G   0-201-84760-4
%I   Addison-Wesley Publishing Co./ACM Press
%O   U$26.85 800-822-6339 617-944-3700 Fax: [phone] [e-mail]
%P   413
%T   "Civilizing Cyberspace: Policy, Power and the Information Superhighway"

On the rising wave of information superhighway books, and the
increasing backwash of anti-net tomes, no single author has been able
to produce a work that even remotely compares with Miller's.  Neither
dazzled by technical brilliance nor dreading the cyborg juggernaut, he
provides the fruits of a working relationship with the technology,
thorough research, and insightful analysis.

The book specializes in public policy, but since that can touch
everyone and everything it is not a limitation.  Miller is thus able
to examine all aspects of information structures and strictures.  His
material is clear and well reasoned: it does not provide ready answers
at every point, but raises all pertinent issues.  Even esoteric topics
are handled well: obviously not all areas can be covered in depth, but
Miller knows more than he says and gives accurate and helpful resumes.

One shortcoming in the book is the less than rigorous division of
topics.  While many issues in public policy interrelate, many chapters
seem to flow together without an obvious break.  This may be difficult
to resolve, but it was rather odd to find the same (fairly lengthy)
quote used in almost identical discussions on both pages 64 and 204.


copyright Robert M. Slade, 1996   BKCVLCYB.RVW   960108. Distribution
permittted in TELECOM Digest and associated publications. Rob Slade's
book reviews are a regular feature in the Digest.

DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer        [e-mail]         [e-mail]
DECUS Symposium '96, Vancouver, BC, Feb 26-Mar 1, 1996, contact: [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (MSal765)
Subject: Re: ARMIS and Tariff Info on Disk or CD-ROM
Date: 17 Jan 1996 15:19:56 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Reply-To: [e-mail] (MSal765)


I am not sure what ARMIS is but I do know that there is a source for
national and international tariff data on CD-ROM. You can contact LYNX
Technologies by phone at [phone] or on the internet at
WWW.LYNXTECH.COM. They may be able to help you.


MS

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

Date: Wed, 17 Jan 1996 00:47:43 -0500
From: Monty Solomon <[e-mail]>
Subject: Cell Phone Rates On Their Way Down; Smart Phone
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Excerpts from Edupage, 11 January 1996


CELL PHONE RATES ON THEIR WAY DOWN

Cellular phone rates, which have remained high for years in the face
of enormous consumer growth, may finally be responding to competitive
pressures and beginning to drop.  Subscriber growth rates are slowing
down, and wireless wars have ignited in New York, Chicago and
Washington, DC.  Figures for the largest 15 carriers in the U.S. show
a 12% growth rate in 1995, down from 63% the previous year.  And the
advent of personal communications services may push prices down even
further, possibly another 10% to 40% according to an analyst at EDS
Management Consulting Services.  (Wall Street Journal 11 Jan 96 B1)

      =======================================================

SMART PHONE

Colonial Data Technologies' Telesmart 4000 phone incorporates the
ability to send e-mail over the Internet, pay bills and bank
electronically, type and send text messages directly to pagers, shop
from electronic catalogs, and manage calls via a full range of Caller
ID services. The device includes a graphic display screen, magnetic
card reader, alphanumeric keypad, v.22 modem and processor, and is
priced at $289.99.  (Newspage Business Wire 8 Jan 96).


INTERNET PROVIDER TAKES ON PHONE COMPANY

Canada's largest Internet service provider iStar is challenging the
phone companies head-on by offering private networks to businesses
communicating on the Internet.  Secure*net, known in the industry as a
virtual private network allows companies to transmit data to remote
offices over lines dedicated to one client for a fraction of the cost
many companies pay for leasing transmission lines from phone
companies. (Ottawa Citizen 11 Jan 96 C6)

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

From: Tad Cook <[e-mail]>
Subject: Internet Scams
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 1996 00:31:40 PST


Illinois Prosecutors Go After Internet Scams
By Stephen Franklin, Chicago Tribune

Knight-Ridder/Tribune Business News

Jan. 12 -- Psst: Wanna make zillions working at home? Wanna fix up
your credit fast and easy? Wanna make a stock market killing?

Click here and follow the instructions on your computer screen: Tap.
Tap. Tap.

Sorry, netties, but it was bound to happen.

Crooks, too, are netizens of the Internet.

Nowadays, they can reach into your pocket with the neatest computer
graphics.  And thanks to technology, they can pull in lots more
suckers on the Internet than before and at not much of a cost.

"It is important that consumers, when using the Internet, be careful,"
state Atty. Gen. Jim Ryan said Thursday as he announced nine consumer
fraud cases against businesses and individuals using the Internet or
on-line services.

The cases are the second time a state prosecutor has gone after
Internet scams-Minnesota was the first last year. They came after
state officials began to monitor cyberspace dealings late last year.

Experts said the Federal Trade Commission, FBI and state and federal
securities officials also have been tracking questionable Internet
dealings.

"We looked for what we know. We don't know what else would be out
there," explained Deborah Hagan, bureau chief for consumer fraud in
the attorney general's Springfield office.

Two cases filed by the state involve what officials allege are illegal
pyramid-type schemes. Five were against businesses that offered to
help people cleanse their credit histories. One business promised
earnings up to $1,800 a week for anyone who contacts people allegedly
due an insurance refund on the purchase of Housing and Urban
Development homes.

Another business charged by the attorney general allegedly uses
deceptive marketing for a nutritional supplement used against a
variety of illnesses.

Only one of the businesses singled out by prosecutors is located in
Illinois, MicroSmart Enterprise in Joliet. The others are located in
California, New York, South Carolina and Utah.

Ryan said he intended to seek court orders to stop the businesses from
operating in Illinois and penalties of up to $50,000.

While Ryan said he would be considering whether to go after Internet
gambling, Minnesota officials have taken that route, charging one
company with illegally offering gambling in their state.

Carolyn Ham, an assistant state attorney general in St. Paul, said the
state has filed consumer fraud charges against Wagernet, a gambling
operation based in Belize, and Kerry Rogers, a part-owner from Las
Vegas.

Tracking down scam artists is not that difficult, Ham said, because
they must exit cyberspace to collect money from their victims -- they
must use the U.S. mail and give their real addresses.

"But the day is not far off when they won't have to come out of
cyberspace, and then it will be really difficult to find these folks,"
Ham said.

She and other experts urge consumers to be especially careful about
giving out credit card numbers on the Internet.

Most consumer fraud operations found on the Internet are those that
have operated for years elsewhere, said Holly Cherico, an official
with the Council of Better Business Bureaus, based in Arlington, Va.
"The problem is that these businesses look so legitimate when they are
on a computer screen," she said.

Since last fall, the nationwide organization has maintained a World
Wide Web site for consumers to file complaints, and about half of
those filed so far involve transactions done on the Internet.

FOR ONLINE SERVICES:

Visit the Chicago Tribune on America Online (keyword: TRIBUNE) or
Career Finder, the World Wide Web site of the Chicago Tribune. Point
your Web-browsing software to http://www.chicago.tribune.com

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

From: [e-mail] (Iris of your eye)
Date: 17 Jan 1996 02:41:57 GMT
Organization: Cyber Access Internet Communications, Inc.
Subject: Computer Intelligence Society Telecom Archives


ARCHIVES: ftp://cis.cybercom.net
UNIX: cis.cybercom.net, login as new.
BBS: cis.cybercom.net, login as bbs.

Archives: Files on everything from ss7 signalling to dms500 i/o
structure. Faqs, guides, how-to's, etc.

Unix: Free ftp, telnet, irc, lynx, tin.

BBS: Messages on telecom related topics, bbs file system linked to the
CIS archives. Some of the most intelligent telecom discussion around.

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

From: [e-mail] (Gilles Rech)
Subject: Ethernet Over 23GHZ Microwawe Radio Links
Date: 16 Jan 1996 16:32:11 GMT
Organization: C.I.S.M.  Universite de Lyon 1 / INSA de Lyon


Hello,

I'm looking for people who would have experienced Ethernet 10 Mbps
links over a 23GHZ microwawe radio link. Especially with the Digilink
MTV 8000 (Optibeam ?, /M/D/S/ ?). Thanks in advance.


Gilles Rech
C.I.S.M., Universite Claude Bernard Lyon I & INSA Lyon, France.

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

From: Ian Angus <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 16 Jan 1996 09:02:55 -0400
Subject: BC Tel Offers Access to US 800 Numbers


BC Tel, the telco in Canada's westernmost province, has introduced a
service called "South of 49," which allows callers in British Columbia
to dial 800 numbers which are normally accessible in the United
States. Similar services have been offered in the past by some
resellers.

This meets a real need -- an astonishing number of US companies ignore
the market beyond their country's borders. US-only 800 numbers are
regularly advertised, often without an alternative non-800 number, in
magazines and on television shows which are widely seen in Canada

In approving the service, the CRTC ordered BC Tel to implement an
access code which will ensure that consumers know the difference
between normal toll-free 800 calls and chargeable "South of 49" calls.

As announced today, callers who wish to use the service will dial
"880" instead of "800" to reach the normally inaccessible number.
Before being connected, they will be told that the call is chargeable
(18 cents/minute) and given an opportunity to hang up.

I asked BC Tel three questions about their service:

Q. What happens if a callers dials "1-880" on a number which he could
have dialed toll-free.

A. If it is a Canadian 800 number, a recording will tell the caller to
dial the correct number. If it is a US 800 number, the call will go
through and the caller will be charged. BC Tel is encouraging
customers to try 1-800 first, and only use 1-880 if they can't get
through.

Q. How will BC Tel's system tell the difference between "800" and
"888" numbers which have the same seven digit number?

A. BC Tel will introduce "1-881" as the code to reach 888 numbers.

Q. What happens if the North American Numbering Plan folks decide
to use "880" and "881" as NPAs?

A. BC Tel has the NANP's approval to use 880 and 881 for these
services, so that problem shouldn't arise.

The service is on a sixth-month market trial. I suspect that this use
of "pseudo-Area Codes" will confuse customers, but we'll see.


IAN ANGUS                       Tel: [phone] ext 222
Angus TeleManagement Group      Fax: [phone]
8 Old Kingston Road             e-mail: [e-mail]
Ajax Ontario Canada L1T 2Z7     http://www.angustel.ca

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

From: [e-mail] (Bradley Ward Allen)
Subject: Possible/Probable to Run ADSL With Higher Bandwitdth?
Date: 17 Jan 1996 17:02:40 -0500
Organization: Q
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Let me phrase this as a "my needs" problem since that seems to get the
most attention :)

My Internet usage slows the most when someone accesses my computer's
HTTP server.  So, I think it would be best if I run an ADSL
configuration from my home such that my transmissions get the higher
bandwidth side.  I think this will be the typical ADSL usage for many
users if it becomes mainstream.

While there are many reasons for me to attempt getting HDSL, so-called
cable modems (meaning over "The TV Cable cable" although just about
*anything* can be considered a cable modem) or other types of
connections (NTP, lots of data in both directions, etc.), I just want
to understand this ADSL thing.


Bradley Allen   <[e-mail]>

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

From: [e-mail] (Michael Davis)
Subject: Looking for Telephony Solution
Date: Wed, 17 Jan 1996 22:22:39 GMT
Organization: customer of Internet America


*********************Please respond via email*********************

My level of frustration is growing and I hope that someone that reads
this will be able to point me to a solution.

I would like to have a telephony card that meets the following
criteria:

1)   Compatible with TAZZ (MS Phone 95).
2)   Able to coexist with an internal modem.
3)   Able to answer incoming calls, display Caller ID information,

WHILE the internal modem has me connected to the internet.

I have tried PhoneBlaster and Telecommander 3500XL.  I seem to
remember there being a board in the TAZZ beta that would match what my
needs are, but I have yet to find it.

Also, if there is another solution out there, I'm very eager to get
more information.

Thanks in advance!


Michael   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Kingsley G. Morse Jr.)
Subject: Jan CT Magazine Recommended Two Line Phoneworks
Date: 17 Jan 1996 09:48:29 -0800
Organization: Network Access Services, Inc.


The January issue of Computer Telephony magazine had a roundup of SOHO
applications, and recommended a two line product called Phoneworks from
Connectware. Problem is Connectware says the two line version isn't ready
yet.

Anyone know of two line SOHO application that's available now?


Kingsley G. Morse Jr.

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

From: [e-mail] (pluto)
Subject: Cable-TV Discussions?
Date: 17 Jan 1996 18:15:02 GMT
Organization: Innovationsgruppen


I am interessted in the cable-TV technology and the possibilities to
use it for data-communication. I think it's hard to find any
newsgroups that contains regular discussions about it.

If you have any suggestions about the subject, please contact me so we
can exchange ideas.

Please email me at:

[e-mail]


Thanks in advance.

Adress: Henrik Ebeklint
        InnovationsGruppen
    Box 823
    301 18 Halmstad

Tel:    [phone]
Email:    [e-mail]
www:    http://www.hh.se/org/innovgrp/index.html

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

Date: Wed, 17 Jan 1996 12:27:06 -0500
From: Alfonso C. Fuller, Jr. <[e-mail]>
Subject: PCS Caused EMI


While I agree with many of the comments made regarding PCS, I am
suprised that no mention has been made of the interference that TDMA
(and apparently other technologies) generate due to the amplitude
modulation.  Six million or more Americans wear hearing aids who are
at risk of annoying and possibly painful noise generated by PCS
equipment.

In addition, there are reports of various other types of equipment
being effected (powered wheelchairs, auto airbags, taxi meters, etc.)
It seems to me that if these problems are not resolved soon, a
tremendous backlash may develop in the market -- or am I over
dramatizing things?


Al Fuller

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

From: [e-mail] (Mark Fanty)
Subject: Phone Boards For SGI
Date: 16 Jan 1996 23:46:39 GMT
Organization: CSE department, Oregon Graduate Institute


I'm looking for a telephone board for SGI workstations.  It must let
me record and play speech to and from memory, detect DTMF, etc.


Mark Fanty               Center for Spoken Language Understanding
[e-mail]        Oregon Graduate Institute of Science & Technology
[phone]           PO Box 91000
fax [phone]       Portland, OR 97291-1000
         (shipping: 20000 Walker Rd./Beaverton, OR 97006)

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

From: [e-mail] (Glenn A. McComb)
Subject: How to Contact NPA Carriers for Vanity Numbers
Date: 16 Jan 1996 11:36:54 -0800
Organization: Best Internet Communications


I've downloaded the 500 NPA assignment list, and tried calling 800
directory for telephone numbers.  No luck!

I'm looking for:
ONCOR
ROGERS CANTEL
ALLTEL MOBILE
RESERVE COMPUTER

But, in general, how does one go about this?  I understand that I will
need to change one of my lines to their carrier to get a number
handled by them.  But then doesn't equal access guarantee that I can
then change back after a month or two back to my preferred carrier?

Thanks for your help.  Please post to this group, I'm sure others will
benefit.


glenn    [e-mail]
http://www.mccomb.com

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

From: [e-mail] (Kevin Paul Herbert)
Subject: Foreign Exchange in Oregon
Date: Tue, 16 Jan 1996 11:47:15 -0800
Organization: Cisco Systems, Ashland, OR


US West has been telling me that there is no foreign exchange of any kind
tariffed in Oregon, either by bringing in individual pairs or 24 lines on
a T-1.

Is this really true? If there is anybody out there which has a FX line in
Oregon, I'd appreciate hearing about it so that I could figure out how to
get it from US West.


Thanks,

Kevin

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

From: [e-mail] (Gordon Wilson)
Subject: Motorola 550 Nicad Batteries
Date: 16 Jan 1996 21:25:40 GMT
Organization: HP Integrated Circuit Business Division, Palo Alto, CA


Hello,

  Does anyone have any idea how many nicad batteries are in the
Motorola 550 cell phone?

  I measured the voltage at full charge and got 6.9V.  At 4/6 charge
(according to FCN-4) is was 6.4V.  Assuming it is 5 cell, then 1.4V
per cell for fully charged seems a bit high.  And, at 4/6 charge 1.3V
seems very high.  Anybody got an idea how many nicad cells are in this
phone?

        Volts per cell
        1.2V  1.3V 1.4V
5 cell  6.0V  6.5V 7.0V
4 cell  4.8V  5.2V 5.6V


TIA,

gordon wilson   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Cameron Anderson)
Date: 5 Jan 1996 21:01:45 GMT
Subject: Fiber Optic T1 line vs. Copper T1 line
Organization: Stellar Communications


I am trying to find out some info about copper and fiber optic T1
lines.  The company that we are buying out T1 from (Frontier, in the
Rochester, NY area) says that a copper T1 and a fiber optic T1 are the
same. Aside from the obvious physical differences ... is there a benfit
of choosing one over the other? Does the copper line perform as well
as the fiber optic line?

I really have very little knowledge when it comes to this matter. If
you could please e-mail your responses to me it would be most
appreciated, as I rarely read this group. (I also need to know real
soon, too!)


Thank you.

Cameron Anderson     ([e-mail])
Stellar Communications Inc.
Rochester, NY

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

End of TELECOM Digest V16 #20
*****************************