TELECOM Digest Fri, 25 Feb 94 10:42:00 CST Volume 14 : Issue 104
Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson
Digital Cellphone Report - GSM (Juha Veijalainen)
Methods For Calling USA From Europe? (Mario Valente)
Technical Manual For an OKI 1150 (Barry Lustig)
Looking For Long Distance Carrier Info For Business/Home (Craig Eid)
Multimedia Conference (ICMCS 94) (Joseph Boykin)
Update: Questions About Voice Mail (Stan Schwartz)
Centrex/Key Phone System/PBX (
[email protected])
Telecommunications and Computers (Lars Kalsen)
Who Sells Used Telecom Gear? (Pat Barron)
Radio Program on History of the Telephone (Ralph Chapman)
Neal-Wilkinson Trunk Capacity Table (Lars Borg)
Why Are Rates to India Increasing? (Linc Madison)
What Happened to my Answering Machine? (Yuxing Tian)
Information Wanted on TR303, AIN 0.1 (Doug Hohulin)
Information Needed on Satellite Phone (Min Hu)
Information Wanted on FCC 91-115 (
[email protected])
NYNEX "Slamming" 800 Business Directories? (Tom Betz)
InterLATA CID (Terry J. Nelson)
Re: Vermont Gets Ready For NNX Area Codes (John R. Levine)
Re: Vermont Gets Ready For NNX Area Codes (Andy Behrens)
CONNECT SysOp Subscription Discount Offer (Patricia Snyder-Rayl)
TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: JVE%
[email protected]
Date: 25 Feb 1994 10:49
Subject: Digital Cellphone Report - GSM
Lately we've seen postings on US/Canadian digital cellphones. I'd
like to share my experiences of using GSM for about ten months now.
- there are no dual mode phones. You either have a digital phone
(and 'all digital network') or you don't. Analogue NMT nets are
still going strong and growing, but they are completely separate.
- during last summer coverage was a bit spotty and calls were cut off
relatively often. Since last autumn things got much better; coverage
is much better and I have not experienced any special problems with
call setup or calls being cut off.
- roaming is available in most of the Europe. You just switch on your
phone in a foreign country and it picks up the network (if any). You
can program your preferred networks on your SIM card.
- GSM does interfere with some radio equipment. I have no problems with
my car radio, office/home phones, TV etc. On the other hand my old
portable stereo picks up GSM transmission. It seems to be a matter of
radio/TV/phone quality. I've had more interference problems in Britain
and Switzerland - why, I don't know.
- voice quality is good, though you cannot distinquish GSM from an analog
phone, if both phones are close to cell and no cell handoffs
happen. If you use phones in fringe areas (weak fields) the
difference is noticeable. GSM voice is not completely clear, though,
it might cut off for a fraction of a second, it might make you talk
like Donald Duck and sometimes it seems to fill in gaps (like
'Yes, I like it' would be replaced with 'Yesssss like it').
New services are being introduced now. 'Short messaging service'
sends max. 160 character messages to your phone even when you are
speaking and group 3 fax should be available soon. Other GSM II
features will come later on.
Juha Veijalainen 4ge system analyst, tel. +358 40 5004402
Unisys Finland Internet: JVE%
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Methods For Calling USA From Europe?
Organization: LNEC, Lab. Nac. de Eng. Civil, Lisboa, Portugal
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 18:14:02 GMT
Hi:
I'm trying to setup an Internet service provider here in Portugal,
where there isnt one.
After trying with several service providers in Europe to get a
connection and the possibility to resell and finding many
difficulties, not to mention the cost of phone lines in Europe, I have
started looking at other possibilities, namely USA providers ( there
are more, more friendly, and with more probability of getting the
reselling option ).
The problem is of course the cost of the lines.
I'd like to find out about some possibilities. The ones I thought/found
out:
- satellite feed, using some service like PageSat or Planet. This has
the disadvantage of not being able to send, just receive.
- leased line to the US. I suppose the cost is impossible.
- using AT&T to dialup. I'm really interested in this one, since I have
a service provider that allows me to connect via AT&T. I just need to
find how to use AT&T from Portugal. Anyone know where this information
is?
- ISDN connection. Unfortunately ISND connectionsm like phone lines in
Europe have a time charge: for each period of time you're charged
some cost, which is quite big when you call outside Portugal (if I
call the USA using the local PTT I pay $4 per minute; yes that's four
dollars a minute!)
Any info welcome ( especially how to use AT&T from here )
Thanks in advance,
C U!
Mario Valente
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 16:35:17 EST
From: Barry Lustig <
[email protected]>
Subject: Technical Manual For an OKI 1150
I just called OKI Telecom to order a copy of the technical manual
for an OKI 1150 cellular phone. The sales rep. on the other end of
the line said that the manual costs $172.50. Does anybody else think
that this is outrageous? Why are they trying to discourage phone
owners from getting the manuals for their phones?
Barry Lustig Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management
[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Maybe because without the manual, if
something is not working right on the phone the owners will simply
think it is something they are incorrectly programming and blame
themselves; with a comprehensive manual in hand they will find out
it is not their fault at all but that the phone is no good! It is
sometimes best to keep the owners in ignorance, you know. :) PAT]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Craig Eid)
Subject: Looking For Long Distance Carrier Info For Business/Home
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 21:41:38 GMT
Organization: HP Sonoma County (SRSD/MWTD/MID)
I need to decide as soon as possible which long distance carrier we'll
be using on our new business line. Most of our calls will be for ten
minutes or less, within the same state, and within a 200 mile radius.
Does anyone have any suggestions, or should I just call up the majors
and get quotes?
Craig Eid e-mail address
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Joseph Boykin)
Subject: Multimedia Conference (ICMCS 94)
Reply-To:
[email protected]
Organization: GTE Laboratories
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 22:08:48 GMT
For those who have already received information on the IEEE Computer
Society's Multimedia Computing and Systems Conference (ICMCS '94),
there have been a few changes since the original information went out,
so you may wish to pick up the latest. New versions of the program,
registration form, etc. are available either from me or via anonymous
FTP on ftp.gte.com (132.197.8.2) in pub/ICMCS.
Joe Boykin ICMCS Registration Chair
617-466-2803 (Phone) 617-466-2137 (FAX)
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Stan Schwartz)
Subject: Update: Questions About Voice Mail
Date: 24 Feb 1994 18:45:23 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC
I spoke with the NYNEX reps today and they confirmed the following for
me:
NYNEX's Voice Mail product (Call Answering) combined with Call Waiting
works the following way in my 5ESS CO (516-694-NNNN):
- If I am on the phone and DON'T answer the second call, the mailbox will
NOT answer the call.
- If I *70 to de-activate Call Waiting before I make a call, any incoming
call will get a busy while I am on the call.
I then appealed to NYNEX's "President's Help Line" (1-800-722-2300),
and after much explaining and whining, the representative agreed to
contact the product manager for the service and ask her why it is
programmed that way. I was promised a return phone call (but she
didn't say when ;-) ).
(BTW: here on Long Island, I am kind of "self-determining" that I am
in a 5ESS switch by dialing my exchange's verification number, which
is usually in the NNX-9901 format. When I dial 694-9901, the recording
tells me the type of switch in the CO and which exchanges it serves.
Is there any way to verify how accurate and up-to-date this recording is?)
Stan
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Lyre)
Subject: Centrex/Key Phone System/PBX
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 94 01:17:15 EST
Organization: [MindVox] / Phantom Access Technologies / (+1 800-MindVox)
I want some kind of system that will give me automated attendant
voicemail and multiline capabilities. The number of lines is four to
six; the number of instruments is four to start.
Any recommendations/things to stay away from? Cost IS an issue.
I was wondering if I can do this with Intellipath digital centrex on
either DMS-100 or 5ESS, or what would be the most cost-effective key
system?
Thanks.
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Lars Kalsen)
Subject: Telecommunications and Computers
Date: 25 Feb 94 12:04:21 GMT
Organization: DKnet
Hi -
I am trying to get an overview over the area:
Systems integrating Telecommunication and Computers
===================================================
It could be voice-response systems which are placing orders directly
in the company's computer system. Or systems for customer service
which integrate telephony with customer datases in an intelligent way.
Or it could be anything else.
If you:
- have knowledge of such systems I would like to
have a short desciption.(Maybe you compnay have some).
- know articles on the subject - I would like to have
a reference
- know any or sites where I can look for inforamtion - i
would like to hera from you.
Any inforamtion is appreciated. Plaese E-mail me if you have some.
Greetings from Denmark,
Lars Kalsen
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Who Sells Used Telecom Gear?
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 1994 10:43:28 -0500
Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
I'm looking for a small, used PBX ("small" is defined as three or four
lines). The cheaper, the better, which is why I want used equipment.
Any pointers?
Thanks!
Pat
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 94 12:41:09 EST
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Radio Program on History of the Telephone
Organization: AT&T
WBEZ (FM 91.5, Chicago) will be broadcasting a for-part "radio history
of the telephone", titled "Hell's Bells", starting Feb. 28 at 7:00-8:00
PM. The other three parts will be aired March 1, 2, and 7 (same time).
This is an American Public Radio program; the folks at the station
said it will likely be aired on other APR or NPR stations around the
country, but on different schedules. Check with your local station,
or call Israel Smith at APR in Minneapolis, 612-338-5000.
Ralph Chapman AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Lars Borg)
Subject: Neal-Wilkinson Trunk Capacity Table
Organization: Northern Telecom, Network Application Systems
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 17:26:34 GMT
Would someone please E-mail a copy of the Neal-Wilkinson trunk
capacity tables, or tell me were I can find a copy?
Lars G. Borg, E-mail:
[email protected]
Northern Telcom / Network Application Systems (716) 654-2573
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 12:56:48 -0800
From:
[email protected] (Linc Madison)
Subject: Why Are Rates to India Increasing?
I was looking at yet another one of those newspaper ads for the
various LD companies' international discount calling plans, and I've
noticed that they list numbers like "India 73 cents (thru 3/30/94, 78
cents after)"
Is the PTT in India increasing its "landing fees"?
Linc Madison * Oakland, California *
[email protected]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 13:39:23 -0600
From: Yuxing Tian <
[email protected]>
Subject: What Happened to my Answering Machine?
[I live in Chicago, and have a normal greeting message in my answering
machine.]
Here is the story:
Yesterday, when I got home and listen to the messages left in my
answering machine. A strange message is:
( ~10 seconds music)
( two rings at the other end)
( a lady picked up the phone and asked "Hello, Number?")
( ~2 seconds silent)
( she hung up.)
Could anybody lighten me about what happened? Thanks a lot.
------------------------------
Date: 24 Feb 1994 17:53:24 U
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Information Wanted on TR303, AIN 0.1
I have two questions:
How wide spread is TR303 deployed?
Is anyone using AIN 0.1 today on their class 5 switches? Which
switches are they available on?
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Min Hu)
Subject: Information Needed on Satellite Phone
Organization: University of Toronto Physics/Astronomy/CITA
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 1994 01:11:52 GMT
Hi,
During the gulf war, both the reporters and the American soldiers used
a kind of satellite phone system so that they could communicate with
outside world. Does anybody out there know companies who make or sell
this kind of mobile phone system?
The following features will be desirable.
1. Ability to communicate while the phone is in motion (say a jeep)
2. The diameter of the antanne should be less than 1 meter
3. The satellite carrier should be either American satellite or sea monitoring
satellite.
4. The antanne should be all-direction antanne, do not have to worry about
the direction of the satellite.
It will be greatly appreciated if you can offer any clue as how to
find this kind of company.
Thanks in advance.
HU MIN, University of Toronto, Dept. of Physics
Toronto, Ontario, Canada. M5S 1A7
Email:
[email protected] /
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Cristy)
Subject: Information Wanted on FCC 91-115
Organization: DuPont Central Research & Development
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 22:06:52 GMT
My latest phone bill allows for some additional privacy for customers
of unlisted numbers. I disagree with the requirement to pay the
$1.50+ charge per month to be eligible for increased privacy. The
reference is FCC 91-115. Does anyone know the text of this ruling or
where I can get access to this ruling?
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Tom Betz)
Subject: NYNEX "Slamming" 800 Business Directories?
Date: 24 Feb 1994 14:04:37 -0500
Organization: Betz & Associates
While reviewing our business phone bill, I noticed a $24.99 charge for
an "1994 ATT BUS GUD" and a $3.50 shipping and handling charge. I
enquired about it to NYNEX billing, who told me that "1994 ATT BUS
GUD" means "1994 AT&T Toll-Free National 800 Directory", and that I
had called an 800 number and ordered it.
In fact, in January I had received a call from a telemarketer asking
me if I wanted it, and had told them no, specifically telling them
that as an AT&T 800 customer, I get these for free on request.
When one arrived recently, our receptionist signed for it, and when I
saw it, I assumed that our AT&T rep had sent it to us; in fact, the
NYNEX telemarketer had disregarded my refusal and sent it to us, and
then told NYNEX that I had called >him< and placed an order for it!
Apparently, NYNEX has hired a sleazy outfit, one that is lying to
NYNEX about the orders it has received, to do some of its
telemarketing. I wonder how many thousands of times this year NYNEX
will be collecting $29.49 from businesses who, like me, said "no" when
solicited to buy this book, but who don't notice the charge on their
bills? How many millions of dollars in commissions will this sleaze
operation earn from these tactics?
Check your bills, folks.
Tom Betz ---- 114 Woodworth Ave, Yonkers NY 10701-2509
(914) 332-7511 -
[email protected] [email protected]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 94 12:47:00 EST
From:
[email protected]
Subject: InterLATA CID
Organization: AT&T
I have a question regarding the use of Caller ID on Inter-LATA calls.
Currently the technology exists to deliver the calling number to the
terminating LEC office:
Originating-->--ISUP-->--InterLATA-->--ISUP-->--Terminating
CID LEC Carrier CID LEC
Since this information in most cases is deliverable right now, why
doesn't InterLATA CID exist? The only reason I've heard so far is
that the RBOCs must be "de-regulated" before they can accept/deliver
Inter-LATA originating numbers. This doesn't seem to make much sense.
Perhaps it's just a matter of working out which carrier charges who
and for how much or is there another reason?
adTHANKSvance,
Terry Nelson @ AT&T
ATTMail:
[email protected] GEnie:
[email protected]
America On Line:
[email protected] UUCP: wnxser!tjnelson
UUCP via Internet:
[email protected]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 94 12:41 EST
From:
[email protected] (John R Levine)
Subject: Re: Vermont Gets Ready For NNX Area Codes
Organization: I.E.C.C., Cambridge, Mass.
> Please explain these two statements. If it's a "free local call"
> (within the same area code, no less), then it's not a toll call, so
> why is "Vermont's new toll dialing plan" relevant here at all?
We're in Morgan, Vt. which has its own 895 exchange. But since we're
way out on the east edge of town, we're closer to Island Pond, so we
have an Island Pond 723 phone number. Normally, a call from 723 to
895 is a toll call, but there's a rule that all calls within your own
town are considered local, so as a special case, calls to Morgan 895
numbers are free (or at worse charged message units) even though
they're dialed as toll calls. There are 895 numbers in Holland and
West Charleston as well; don't know if I get charged for them or not.
> Do you currently dial these calls as eight digits (1 + 7D)? If so, why?
Yup. Same reason.
> Are there any other places in the NANP where local intra-NPA calls
> require more than seven digits to dial?
This situation is quite common in rural areas, and the rule that calls
within your town are free seems to be ancient and widespread.
In New Hampshire, NET came up with a uniquely awful way to implement
this: you were supposed to make such calls on your calling card, then
when the bill came, call up the business office and ask them to adjust
the bill. I think they now do it automatically as well.
[re having to dial calls from 802-723 to 802-895 with 11 digits, even
though they are free for us because it's within the same town]
> I wonder why Nynex doesn't fix this. If they are smart enough to bill
> those calls at local (not toll) rates, they should also have the skills
> to let you *dial* them as local (not toll) calls.
It'd require per-line dialing plan programming in the switch,
something that I don't think CO switches are set up to do. Most 723
customers are in Island Pond, so for them 895 really is a toll call.
Some 723 customers are in East Charleston, who have to be able to call
895 numbers in West Charleston (same town, different P.O.) for free,
but not necessarily 895 numbers in Morgan or Holland. The same
applies for 895 customers calling 723, of course.
I expect that it's a lot easier to fix this at the time bills are
printed, since the bill printing computer has all of the address
information available and, more important, doesn't have to figure out
the answer in real time.
NYNEX's original proposal was to make all intra-NPA calls in its
territory 7D regardless of toll, which would have solved this problem
once and for all. Unfortunately, state regulators insisted that they
go to 1 + NPA for calls that used to be 1 + 7D.
Here's another example of 1+ nonsense: I live in Cambridge Mass., and
my sister lives in Lexington, about 10 miles away. For me to call her
is a message unit call, not dialed with 1+, which costs 6.5 cents for
the first minute, 5.5 cents for subsequent minutes, with no time of
day discount.
On weekends, intra-NPA toll calls to places like Nantucket (50 miles
away) cost less than calling Lexington because they have time-of-day
discounts. Indeed, on weekends it saves money to dial her with a
10333 prefix and hand this local call to Sprint!
Regards,
John Levine,
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Re: Vermont Gets Ready For NNX Area Codes
Date: 24 Feb 1994 21:21:54 GMT
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
John Levine writes:
> A flyer in my latest phone bill reveals that Vermont's new toll
> dialing plan is 1-802-NNX-XXXX...
> Personally, I find the new plan to be a big pain in the neck, since,
> due to a peculiarity of exchange boundaries, it'll require that I dial
> most free local calls within our town with 11 digits.
and Bob Goudreau asks:
> If it's a "free local call" (within the same area code, no less), then
> it's not a toll call, so why is "Vermont's new toll dialing plan"
> relevant here at all? Do you currently dial these calls as eight
> digits (1 + 7D)? If so, why?
A number of years ago, the Vermont PUC mandated that calls to a
telephone located in the same town[*] must be billed as local calls,
regardless of exchange boundaries. The intent was that people should
not have to pay toll charges to call their town offices.
But because the state is rural, and hilly, a few outlying houses in a
town may be separated from the rest of the town by a ridge of hills.
It may be easier for the phone company to wire them into a neighboring
exchange -- even when that exchange is far enough away from the town
that the two exchanges would be considered "long distance"
These outlying people will have to dial 1-802 + 7D to call their
neighbors in the same town, but it's a local call for them. Other
people in their exchange, for whom the call crosses town boundaries,
would pay toll charges. These calls are currently dialed as 1 + 7D.
Andy
[*] Note: "Towns" in Vermont are what most states call "townships".
Everyone in a given town is governed by the same officials, has the
same fire department, etc.
Andy Behrens
P.O. Box 116, South Strafford, Vt. (802) 765-4138
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Patricia Snyder-Rayl)
Subject: CONNECT SysOp Subscription Discount Offer
Date: 24 Feb 1994 16:29:44 -0500
Organization: Cyberspace Communications Public-Access UNIX
CONNECT Magazine Offers Special Subscription Rate for BBS Sysops
================================================================
OK. You've heard about CONNECT, possibly even picked up copies of the
magazine at your local newsstand, bookstore or computer dealer. Maybe
you've seen our advertising in books such as the "Whole Earth Online
Almanac," or you saw the mention of CONNECT in the December 6, 1993
issue of U.S. News & World Report. Or maybe you've just heard about
the magazine from talk on the commercial online services, or seen the
CONNECT Online BBS Edition door on a local BBS.
But, you still haven't subscribed. As a BBS sysop, perhaps you've just
been too busy keeping your system in peak shape. And maybe you've also
been thinking about advertising your BBS via CONNECT's International
BBS Listing or Service Ads.
Well, we're making you an offer that'll save you money *AND* give your
BBS some added international exposure.
To receive details and the necessary form, email your request to
[email protected].
CONNECT Magazine (313) 973-8825
"The Modem User's Resource" (313) 973-0411 fax services, Internet and BBS
3487 Braeburn Circle (313) 973-9137 BBS networks from a user's
Ann Arbor, MI 48108 14.4Kbps V.32bis| perspective.
------------------------------
End of TELECOM Digest V14 #104
******************************
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From:
[email protected] (TELECOM Moderator)
Message-Id: <
[email protected]>
To:
[email protected]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #104
TELECOM Digest Fri, 25 Feb 94 10:42:00 CST Volume 14 : Issue 104
Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson
Digital Cellphone Report - GSM (Juha Veijalainen)
Methods For Calling USA From Europe? (Mario Valente)
Technical Manual For an OKI 1150 (Barry Lustig)
Looking For Long Distance Carrier Info For Business/Home (Craig Eid)
Multimedia Conference (ICMCS 94) (Joseph Boykin)
Update: Questions About Voice Mail (Stan Schwartz)
Centrex/Key Phone System/PBX (
[email protected])
Telecommunications and Computers (Lars Kalsen)
Who Sells Used Telecom Gear? (Pat Barron)
Radio Program on History of the Telephone (Ralph Chapman)
Neal-Wilkinson Trunk Capacity Table (Lars Borg)
Why Are Rates to India Increasing? (Linc Madison)
What Happened to my Answering Machine? (Yuxing Tian)
Information Wanted on TR303, AIN 0.1 (Doug Hohulin)
Information Needed on Satellite Phone (Min Hu)
Information Wanted on FCC 91-115 (
[email protected])
NYNEX "Slamming" 800 Business Directories? (Tom Betz)
InterLATA CID (Terry J. Nelson)
Re: Vermont Gets Ready For NNX Area Codes (John R. Levine)
Re: Vermont Gets Ready For NNX Area Codes (Andy Behrens)
CONNECT SysOp Subscription Discount Offer (Patricia Snyder-Rayl)
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 GEnie.
Subscriptions are available at no charge to qualified organizations
and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify:
*
[email protected] *
The Digest is compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson Associates of
Skokie, Illinois USA. We provide telecom consultation services and
long distance resale services including calling cards and 800 numbers.
To reach us: Post Office Box 1570, Chicago, IL 60690 or by phone
at 708-329-0571 and fax at 708-329-0572. Email:
[email protected].
** Article submission address only:
[email protected] **
Our archives are located at lcs.mit.edu and are available by using
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TELECOM Digest is gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup comp.dcom.telecom. It has no connection with the unmoderated
Usenet newsgroup comp.dcom.telecom.tech whose mailing list "Telecom-Tech
Digest" shares archives resources at lcs.mit.edu for the convenience
of users. Please *DO NOT* cross post articles between the groups. 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: JVE%
[email protected]
Date: 25 Feb 1994 10:49
Subject: Digital Cellphone Report - GSM
Lately we've seen postings on US/Canadian digital cellphones. I'd
like to share my experiences of using GSM for about ten months now.
- there are no dual mode phones. You either have a digital phone
(and 'all digital network') or you don't. Analogue NMT nets are
still going strong and growing, but they are completely separate.
- during last summer coverage was a bit spotty and calls were cut off
relatively often. Since last autumn things got much better; coverage
is much better and I have not experienced any special problems with
call setup or calls being cut off.
- roaming is available in most of the Europe. You just switch on your
phone in a foreign country and it picks up the network (if any). You
can program your preferred networks on your SIM card.
- GSM does interfere with some radio equipment. I have no problems with
my car radio, office/home phones, TV etc. On the other hand my old
portable stereo picks up GSM transmission. It seems to be a matter of
radio/TV/phone quality. I've had more interference problems in Britain
and Switzerland - why, I don't know.
- voice quality is good, though you cannot distinquish GSM from an analog
phone, if both phones are close to cell and no cell handoffs
happen. If you use phones in fringe areas (weak fields) the
difference is noticeable. GSM voice is not completely clear, though,
it might cut off for a fraction of a second, it might make you talk
like Donald Duck and sometimes it seems to fill in gaps (like
'Yes, I like it' would be replaced with 'Yesssss like it').
New services are being introduced now. 'Short messaging service'
sends max. 160 character messages to your phone even when you are
speaking and group 3 fax should be available soon. Other GSM II
features will come later on.
Juha Veijalainen 4ge system analyst, tel. +358 40 5004402
Unisys Finland Internet: JVE%
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Methods For Calling USA From Europe?
Organization: LNEC, Lab. Nac. de Eng. Civil, Lisboa, Portugal
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 18:14:02 GMT
Hi:
I'm trying to setup an Internet service provider here in Portugal,
where there isnt one.
After trying with several service providers in Europe to get a
connection and the possibility to resell and finding many
difficulties, not to mention the cost of phone lines in Europe, I have
started looking at other possibilities, namely USA providers ( there
are more, more friendly, and with more probability of getting the
reselling option ).
The problem is of course the cost of the lines.
I'd like to find out about some possibilities. The ones I thought/found
out:
- satellite feed, using some service like PageSat or Planet. This has
the disadvantage of not being able to send, just receive.
- leased line to the US. I suppose the cost is impossible.
- using AT&T to dialup. I'm really interested in this one, since I have
a service provider that allows me to connect via AT&T. I just need to
find how to use AT&T from Portugal. Anyone know where this information
is?
- ISDN connection. Unfortunately ISND connectionsm like phone lines in
Europe have a time charge: for each period of time you're charged
some cost, which is quite big when you call outside Portugal (if I
call the USA using the local PTT I pay $4 per minute; yes that's four
dollars a minute!)
Any info welcome ( especially how to use AT&T from here )
Thanks in advance,
C U!
Mario Valente
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 16:35:17 EST
From: Barry Lustig <
[email protected]>
Subject: Technical Manual For an OKI 1150
I just called OKI Telecom to order a copy of the technical manual
for an OKI 1150 cellular phone. The sales rep. on the other end of
the line said that the manual costs $172.50. Does anybody else think
that this is outrageous? Why are they trying to discourage phone
owners from getting the manuals for their phones?
Barry Lustig Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management
[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Maybe because without the manual, if
something is not working right on the phone the owners will simply
think it is something they are incorrectly programming and blame
themselves; with a comprehensive manual in hand they will find out
it is not their fault at all but that the phone is no good! It is
sometimes best to keep the owners in ignorance, you know. :) PAT]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Craig Eid)
Subject: Looking For Long Distance Carrier Info For Business/Home
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 21:41:38 GMT
Organization: HP Sonoma County (SRSD/MWTD/MID)
I need to decide as soon as possible which long distance carrier we'll
be using on our new business line. Most of our calls will be for ten
minutes or less, within the same state, and within a 200 mile radius.
Does anyone have any suggestions, or should I just call up the majors
and get quotes?
Craig Eid e-mail address
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Joseph Boykin)
Subject: Multimedia Conference (ICMCS 94)
Reply-To:
[email protected]
Organization: GTE Laboratories
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 22:08:48 GMT
For those who have already received information on the IEEE Computer
Society's Multimedia Computing and Systems Conference (ICMCS '94),
there have been a few changes since the original information went out,
so you may wish to pick up the latest. New versions of the program,
registration form, etc. are available either from me or via anonymous
FTP on ftp.gte.com (132.197.8.2) in pub/ICMCS.
Joe Boykin ICMCS Registration Chair
617-466-2803 (Phone) 617-466-2137 (FAX)
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Stan Schwartz)
Subject: Update: Questions About Voice Mail
Date: 24 Feb 1994 18:45:23 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC
I spoke with the NYNEX reps today and they confirmed the following for
me:
NYNEX's Voice Mail product (Call Answering) combined with Call Waiting
works the following way in my 5ESS CO (516-694-NNNN):
- If I am on the phone and DON'T answer the second call, the mailbox will
NOT answer the call.
- If I *70 to de-activate Call Waiting before I make a call, any incoming
call will get a busy while I am on the call.
I then appealed to NYNEX's "President's Help Line" (1-800-722-2300),
and after much explaining and whining, the representative agreed to
contact the product manager for the service and ask her why it is
programmed that way. I was promised a return phone call (but she
didn't say when ;-) ).
(BTW: here on Long Island, I am kind of "self-determining" that I am
in a 5ESS switch by dialing my exchange's verification number, which
is usually in the NNX-9901 format. When I dial 694-9901, the recording
tells me the type of switch in the CO and which exchanges it serves.
Is there any way to verify how accurate and up-to-date this recording is?)
Stan
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Lyre)
Subject: Centrex/Key Phone System/PBX
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 94 01:17:15 EST
Organization: [MindVox] / Phantom Access Technologies / (+1 800-MindVox)
I want some kind of system that will give me automated attendant
voicemail and multiline capabilities. The number of lines is four to
six; the number of instruments is four to start.
Any recommendations/things to stay away from? Cost IS an issue.
I was wondering if I can do this with Intellipath digital centrex on
either DMS-100 or 5ESS, or what would be the most cost-effective key
system?
Thanks.
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Lars Kalsen)
Subject: Telecommunications and Computers
Date: 25 Feb 94 12:04:21 GMT
Organization: DKnet
Hi -
I am trying to get an overview over the area:
Systems integrating Telecommunication and Computers
===================================================
It could be voice-response systems which are placing orders directly
in the company's computer system. Or systems for customer service
which integrate telephony with customer datases in an intelligent way.
Or it could be anything else.
If you:
- have knowledge of such systems I would like to
have a short desciption.(Maybe you compnay have some).
- know articles on the subject - I would like to have
a reference
- know any or sites where I can look for inforamtion - i
would like to hera from you.
Any inforamtion is appreciated. Plaese E-mail me if you have some.
Greetings from Denmark,
Lars Kalsen
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Who Sells Used Telecom Gear?
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 1994 10:43:28 -0500
Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
I'm looking for a small, used PBX ("small" is defined as three or four
lines). The cheaper, the better, which is why I want used equipment.
Any pointers?
Thanks!
Pat
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 94 12:41:09 EST
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Radio Program on History of the Telephone
Organization: AT&T
WBEZ (FM 91.5, Chicago) will be broadcasting a for-part "radio history
of the telephone", titled "Hell's Bells", starting Feb. 28 at 7:00-8:00
PM. The other three parts will be aired March 1, 2, and 7 (same time).
This is an American Public Radio program; the folks at the station
said it will likely be aired on other APR or NPR stations around the
country, but on different schedules. Check with your local station,
or call Israel Smith at APR in Minneapolis, 612-338-5000.
Ralph Chapman AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Lars Borg)
Subject: Neal-Wilkinson Trunk Capacity Table
Organization: Northern Telecom, Network Application Systems
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 17:26:34 GMT
Would someone please E-mail a copy of the Neal-Wilkinson trunk
capacity tables, or tell me were I can find a copy?
Lars G. Borg, E-mail:
[email protected]
Northern Telcom / Network Application Systems (716) 654-2573
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 12:56:48 -0800
From:
[email protected] (Linc Madison)
Subject: Why Are Rates to India Increasing?
I was looking at yet another one of those newspaper ads for the
various LD companies' international discount calling plans, and I've
noticed that they list numbers like "India 73 cents (thru 3/30/94, 78
cents after)"
Is the PTT in India increasing its "landing fees"?
Linc Madison * Oakland, California *
[email protected]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 13:39:23 -0600
From: Yuxing Tian <
[email protected]>
Subject: What Happened to my Answering Machine?
[I live in Chicago, and have a normal greeting message in my answering
machine.]
Here is the story:
Yesterday, when I got home and listen to the messages left in my
answering machine. A strange message is:
( ~10 seconds music)
( two rings at the other end)
( a lady picked up the phone and asked "Hello, Number?")
( ~2 seconds silent)
( she hung up.)
Could anybody lighten me about what happened? Thanks a lot.
------------------------------
Date: 24 Feb 1994 17:53:24 U
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Information Wanted on TR303, AIN 0.1
I have two questions:
How wide spread is TR303 deployed?
Is anyone using AIN 0.1 today on their class 5 switches? Which
switches are they available on?
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Min Hu)
Subject: Information Needed on Satellite Phone
Organization: University of Toronto Physics/Astronomy/CITA
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 1994 01:11:52 GMT
Hi,
During the gulf war, both the reporters and the American soldiers used
a kind of satellite phone system so that they could communicate with
outside world. Does anybody out there know companies who make or sell
this kind of mobile phone system?
The following features will be desirable.
1. Ability to communicate while the phone is in motion (say a jeep)
2. The diameter of the antanne should be less than 1 meter
3. The satellite carrier should be either American satellite or sea monitoring
satellite.
4. The antanne should be all-direction antanne, do not have to worry about
the direction of the satellite.
It will be greatly appreciated if you can offer any clue as how to
find this kind of company.
Thanks in advance.
HU MIN, University of Toronto, Dept. of Physics
Toronto, Ontario, Canada. M5S 1A7
Email:
[email protected] /
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Cristy)
Subject: Information Wanted on FCC 91-115
Organization: DuPont Central Research & Development
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 22:06:52 GMT
My latest phone bill allows for some additional privacy for customers
of unlisted numbers. I disagree with the requirement to pay the
$1.50+ charge per month to be eligible for increased privacy. The
reference is FCC 91-115. Does anyone know the text of this ruling or
where I can get access to this ruling?
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Tom Betz)
Subject: NYNEX "Slamming" 800 Business Directories?
Date: 24 Feb 1994 14:04:37 -0500
Organization: Betz & Associates
While reviewing our business phone bill, I noticed a $24.99 charge for
an "1994 ATT BUS GUD" and a $3.50 shipping and handling charge. I
enquired about it to NYNEX billing, who told me that "1994 ATT BUS
GUD" means "1994 AT&T Toll-Free National 800 Directory", and that I
had called an 800 number and ordered it.
In fact, in January I had received a call from a telemarketer asking
me if I wanted it, and had told them no, specifically telling them
that as an AT&T 800 customer, I get these for free on request.
When one arrived recently, our receptionist signed for it, and when I
saw it, I assumed that our AT&T rep had sent it to us; in fact, the
NYNEX telemarketer had disregarded my refusal and sent it to us, and
then told NYNEX that I had called >him< and placed an order for it!
Apparently, NYNEX has hired a sleazy outfit, one that is lying to
NYNEX about the orders it has received, to do some of its
telemarketing. I wonder how many thousands of times this year NYNEX
will be collecting $29.49 from businesses who, like me, said "no" when
solicited to buy this book, but who don't notice the charge on their
bills? How many millions of dollars in commissions will this sleaze
operation earn from these tactics?
Check your bills, folks.
Tom Betz ---- 114 Woodworth Ave, Yonkers NY 10701-2509
(914) 332-7511 -
[email protected] [email protected]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 94 12:47:00 EST
From:
[email protected]
Subject: InterLATA CID
Organization: AT&T
I have a question regarding the use of Caller ID on Inter-LATA calls.
Currently the technology exists to deliver the calling number to the
terminating LEC office:
Originating-->--ISUP-->--InterLATA-->--ISUP-->--Terminating
CID LEC Carrier CID LEC
Since this information in most cases is deliverable right now, why
doesn't InterLATA CID exist? The only reason I've heard so far is
that the RBOCs must be "de-regulated" before they can accept/deliver
Inter-LATA originating numbers. This doesn't seem to make much sense.
Perhaps it's just a matter of working out which carrier charges who
and for how much or is there another reason?
adTHANKSvance,
Terry Nelson @ AT&T
ATTMail:
[email protected] GEnie:
[email protected]
America On Line:
[email protected] UUCP: wnxser!tjnelson
UUCP via Internet:
[email protected]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 94 12:41 EST
From:
[email protected] (John R Levine)
Subject: Re: Vermont Gets Ready For NNX Area Codes
Organization: I.E.C.C., Cambridge, Mass.
> Please explain these two statements. If it's a "free local call"
> (within the same area code, no less), then it's not a toll call, so
> why is "Vermont's new toll dialing plan" relevant here at all?
We're in Morgan, Vt. which has its own 895 exchange. But since we're
way out on the east edge of town, we're closer to Island Pond, so we
have an Island Pond 723 phone number. Normally, a call from 723 to
895 is a toll call, but there's a rule that all calls within your own
town are considered local, so as a special case, calls to Morgan 895
numbers are free (or at worse charged message units) even though
they're dialed as toll calls. There are 895 numbers in Holland and
West Charleston as well; don't know if I get charged for them or not.
> Do you currently dial these calls as eight digits (1 + 7D)? If so, why?
Yup. Same reason.
> Are there any other places in the NANP where local intra-NPA calls
> require more than seven digits to dial?
This situation is quite common in rural areas, and the rule that calls
within your town are free seems to be ancient and widespread.
In New Hampshire, NET came up with a uniquely awful way to implement
this: you were supposed to make such calls on your calling card, then
when the bill came, call up the business office and ask them to adjust
the bill. I think they now do it automatically as well.
[re having to dial calls from 802-723 to 802-895 with 11 digits, even
though they are free for us because it's within the same town]
> I wonder why Nynex doesn't fix this. If they are smart enough to bill
> those calls at local (not toll) rates, they should also have the skills
> to let you *dial* them as local (not toll) calls.
It'd require per-line dialing plan programming in the switch,
something that I don't think CO switches are set up to do. Most 723
customers are in Island Pond, so for them 895 really is a toll call.
Some 723 customers are in East Charleston, who have to be able to call
895 numbers in West Charleston (same town, different P.O.) for free,
but not necessarily 895 numbers in Morgan or Holland. The same
applies for 895 customers calling 723, of course.
I expect that it's a lot easier to fix this at the time bills are
printed, since the bill printing computer has all of the address
information available and, more important, doesn't have to figure out
the answer in real time.
NYNEX's original proposal was to make all intra-NPA calls in its
territory 7D regardless of toll, which would have solved this problem
once and for all. Unfortunately, state regulators insisted that they
go to 1 + NPA for calls that used to be 1 + 7D.
Here's another example of 1+ nonsense: I live in Cambridge Mass., and
my sister lives in Lexington, about 10 miles away. For me to call her
is a message unit call, not dialed with 1+, which costs 6.5 cents for
the first minute, 5.5 cents for subsequent minutes, with no time of
day discount.
On weekends, intra-NPA toll calls to places like Nantucket (50 miles
away) cost less than calling Lexington because they have time-of-day
discounts. Indeed, on weekends it saves money to dial her with a
10333 prefix and hand this local call to Sprint!
Regards,
John Levine,
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Re: Vermont Gets Ready For NNX Area Codes
Date: 24 Feb 1994 21:21:54 GMT
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
John Levine writes:
> A flyer in my latest phone bill reveals that Vermont's new toll
> dialing plan is 1-802-NNX-XXXX...
> Personally, I find the new plan to be a big pain in the neck, since,
> due to a peculiarity of exchange boundaries, it'll require that I dial
> most free local calls within our town with 11 digits.
and Bob Goudreau asks:
> If it's a "free local call" (within the same area code, no less), then
> it's not a toll call, so why is "Vermont's new toll dialing plan"
> relevant here at all? Do you currently dial these calls as eight
> digits (1 + 7D)? If so, why?
A number of years ago, the Vermont PUC mandated that calls to a
telephone located in the same town[*] must be billed as local calls,
regardless of exchange boundaries. The intent was that people should
not have to pay toll charges to call their town offices.
But because the state is rural, and hilly, a few outlying houses in a
town may be separated from the rest of the town by a ridge of hills.
It may be easier for the phone company to wire them into a neighboring
exchange -- even when that exchange is far enough away from the town
that the two exchanges would be considered "long distance"
These outlying people will have to dial 1-802 + 7D to call their
neighbors in the same town, but it's a local call for them. Other
people in their exchange, for whom the call crosses town boundaries,
would pay toll charges. These calls are currently dialed as 1 + 7D.
Andy
[*] Note: "Towns" in Vermont are what most states call "townships".
Everyone in a given town is governed by the same officials, has the
same fire department, etc.
Andy Behrens
P.O. Box 116, South Strafford, Vt. (802) 765-4138
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Patricia Snyder-Rayl)
Subject: CONNECT SysOp Subscription Discount Offer
Date: 24 Feb 1994 16:29:44 -0500
Organization: Cyberspace Communications Public-Access UNIX
CONNECT Magazine Offers Special Subscription Rate for BBS Sysops
================================================================
OK. You've heard about CONNECT, possibly even picked up copies of the
magazine at your local newsstand, bookstore or computer dealer. Maybe
you've seen our advertising in books such as the "Whole Earth Online
Almanac," or you saw the mention of CONNECT in the December 6, 1993
issue of U.S. News & World Report. Or maybe you've just heard about
the magazine from talk on the commercial online services, or seen the
CONNECT Online BBS Edition door on a local BBS.
But, you still haven't subscribed. As a BBS sysop, perhaps you've just
been too busy keeping your system in peak shape. And maybe you've also
been thinking about advertising your BBS via CONNECT's International
BBS Listing or Service Ads.
Well, we're making you an offer that'll save you money *AND* give your
BBS some added international exposure.
To receive details and the necessary form, email your request to
[email protected].
CONNECT Magazine (313) 973-8825
"The Modem User's Resource" (313) 973-0411 fax services, Internet and BBS
3487 Braeburn Circle (313) 973-9137 BBS networks from a user's
Ann Arbor, MI 48108 14.4Kbps V.32bis| perspective.
------------------------------
End of TELECOM Digest V14 #104
******************************
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Area # 700 EMAIL 02-25-94 11:49 Message # -17065
From : TELECOM Moderator
To : ELIOT GELWAN PVT RCVD
Subj : TELECOM Digest V14 #104
�@FROM :
[email protected]
From
[email protected] Fri Feb 25 12:38:09 1994
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Date: Fri, 25 Feb 94 10:49:28 CST
From:
[email protected] (TELECOM Moderator)
Message-Id: <
[email protected]>
To:
[email protected]
Subject: TELECOM Digest V14 #104
TELECOM Digest Fri, 25 Feb 94 10:42:00 CST Volume 14 : Issue 104
Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson
Digital Cellphone Report - GSM (Juha Veijalainen)
Methods For Calling USA From Europe? (Mario Valente)
Technical Manual For an OKI 1150 (Barry Lustig)
Looking For Long Distance Carrier Info For Business/Home (Craig Eid)
Multimedia Conference (ICMCS 94) (Joseph Boykin)
Update: Questions About Voice Mail (Stan Schwartz)
Centrex/Key Phone System/PBX (
[email protected])
Telecommunications and Computers (Lars Kalsen)
Who Sells Used Telecom Gear? (Pat Barron)
Radio Program on History of the Telephone (Ralph Chapman)
Neal-Wilkinson Trunk Capacity Table (Lars Borg)
Why Are Rates to India Increasing? (Linc Madison)
What Happened to my Answering Machine? (Yuxing Tian)
Information Wanted on TR303, AIN 0.1 (Doug Hohulin)
Information Needed on Satellite Phone (Min Hu)
Information Wanted on FCC 91-115 (
[email protected])
NYNEX "Slamming" 800 Business Directories? (Tom Betz)
InterLATA CID (Terry J. Nelson)
Re: Vermont Gets Ready For NNX Area Codes (John R. Levine)
Re: Vermont Gets Ready For NNX Area Codes (Andy Behrens)
CONNECT SysOp Subscription Discount Offer (Patricia Snyder-Rayl)
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 GEnie.
Subscriptions are available at no charge to qualified organizations
and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify:
*
[email protected] *
The Digest is compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson Associates of
Skokie, Illinois USA. We provide telecom consultation services and
long distance resale services including calling cards and 800 numbers.
To reach us: Post Office Box 1570, Chicago, IL 60690 or by phone
at 708-329-0571 and fax at 708-329-0572. Email:
[email protected].
** Article submission address only:
[email protected] **
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 gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated
newsgroup comp.dcom.telecom. It has no connection with the unmoderated
Usenet newsgroup comp.dcom.telecom.tech whose mailing list "Telecom-Tech
Digest" shares archives resources at lcs.mit.edu for the convenience
of users. Please *DO NOT* cross post articles between the groups. 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: JVE%
[email protected]
Date: 25 Feb 1994 10:49
Subject: Digital Cellphone Report - GSM
Lately we've seen postings on US/Canadian digital cellphones. I'd
like to share my experiences of using GSM for about ten months now.
- there are no dual mode phones. You either have a digital phone
(and 'all digital network') or you don't. Analogue NMT nets are
still going strong and growing, but they are completely separate.
- during last summer coverage was a bit spotty and calls were cut off
relatively often. Since last autumn things got much better; coverage
is much better and I have not experienced any special problems with
call setup or calls being cut off.
- roaming is available in most of the Europe. You just switch on your
phone in a foreign country and it picks up the network (if any). You
can program your preferred networks on your SIM card.
- GSM does interfere with some radio equipment. I have no problems with
my car radio, office/home phones, TV etc. On the other hand my old
portable stereo picks up GSM transmission. It seems to be a matter of
radio/TV/phone quality. I've had more interference problems in Britain
and Switzerland - why, I don't know.
- voice quality is good, though you cannot distinquish GSM from an analog
phone, if both phones are close to cell and no cell handoffs
happen. If you use phones in fringe areas (weak fields) the
difference is noticeable. GSM voice is not completely clear, though,
it might cut off for a fraction of a second, it might make you talk
like Donald Duck and sometimes it seems to fill in gaps (like
'Yes, I like it' would be replaced with 'Yesssss like it').
New services are being introduced now. 'Short messaging service'
sends max. 160 character messages to your phone even when you are
speaking and group 3 fax should be available soon. Other GSM II
features will come later on.
Juha Veijalainen 4ge system analyst, tel. +358 40 5004402
Unisys Finland Internet: JVE%
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Methods For Calling USA From Europe?
Organization: LNEC, Lab. Nac. de Eng. Civil, Lisboa, Portugal
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 18:14:02 GMT
Hi:
I'm trying to setup an Internet service provider here in Portugal,
where there isnt one.
After trying with several service providers in Europe to get a
connection and the possibility to resell and finding many
difficulties, not to mention the cost of phone lines in Europe, I have
started looking at other possibilities, namely USA providers ( there
are more, more friendly, and with more probability of getting the
reselling option ).
The problem is of course the cost of the lines.
I'd like to find out about some possibilities. The ones I thought/found
out:
- satellite feed, using some service like PageSat or Planet. This has
the disadvantage of not being able to send, just receive.
- leased line to the US. I suppose the cost is impossible.
- using AT&T to dialup. I'm really interested in this one, since I have
a service provider that allows me to connect via AT&T. I just need to
find how to use AT&T from Portugal. Anyone know where this information
is?
- ISDN connection. Unfortunately ISND connectionsm like phone lines in
Europe have a time charge: for each period of time you're charged
some cost, which is quite big when you call outside Portugal (if I
call the USA using the local PTT I pay $4 per minute; yes that's four
dollars a minute!)
Any info welcome ( especially how to use AT&T from here )
Thanks in advance,
C U!
Mario Valente
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 16:35:17 EST
From: Barry Lustig <
[email protected]>
Subject: Technical Manual For an OKI 1150
I just called OKI Telecom to order a copy of the technical manual
for an OKI 1150 cellular phone. The sales rep. on the other end of
the line said that the manual costs $172.50. Does anybody else think
that this is outrageous? Why are they trying to discourage phone
owners from getting the manuals for their phones?
Barry Lustig Nicholas-Applegate Capital Management
[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Maybe because without the manual, if
something is not working right on the phone the owners will simply
think it is something they are incorrectly programming and blame
themselves; with a comprehensive manual in hand they will find out
it is not their fault at all but that the phone is no good! It is
sometimes best to keep the owners in ignorance, you know. :) PAT]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Craig Eid)
Subject: Looking For Long Distance Carrier Info For Business/Home
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 21:41:38 GMT
Organization: HP Sonoma County (SRSD/MWTD/MID)
I need to decide as soon as possible which long distance carrier we'll
be using on our new business line. Most of our calls will be for ten
minutes or less, within the same state, and within a 200 mile radius.
Does anyone have any suggestions, or should I just call up the majors
and get quotes?
Craig Eid e-mail address
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Joseph Boykin)
Subject: Multimedia Conference (ICMCS 94)
Reply-To:
[email protected]
Organization: GTE Laboratories
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 22:08:48 GMT
For those who have already received information on the IEEE Computer
Society's Multimedia Computing and Systems Conference (ICMCS '94),
there have been a few changes since the original information went out,
so you may wish to pick up the latest. New versions of the program,
registration form, etc. are available either from me or via anonymous
FTP on ftp.gte.com (132.197.8.2) in pub/ICMCS.
Joe Boykin ICMCS Registration Chair
617-466-2803 (Phone) 617-466-2137 (FAX)
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Stan Schwartz)
Subject: Update: Questions About Voice Mail
Date: 24 Feb 1994 18:45:23 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC
I spoke with the NYNEX reps today and they confirmed the following for
me:
NYNEX's Voice Mail product (Call Answering) combined with Call Waiting
works the following way in my 5ESS CO (516-694-NNNN):
- If I am on the phone and DON'T answer the second call, the mailbox will
NOT answer the call.
- If I *70 to de-activate Call Waiting before I make a call, any incoming
call will get a busy while I am on the call.
I then appealed to NYNEX's "President's Help Line" (1-800-722-2300),
and after much explaining and whining, the representative agreed to
contact the product manager for the service and ask her why it is
programmed that way. I was promised a return phone call (but she
didn't say when ;-) ).
(BTW: here on Long Island, I am kind of "self-determining" that I am
in a 5ESS switch by dialing my exchange's verification number, which
is usually in the NNX-9901 format. When I dial 694-9901, the recording
tells me the type of switch in the CO and which exchanges it serves.
Is there any way to verify how accurate and up-to-date this recording is?)
Stan
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Lyre)
Subject: Centrex/Key Phone System/PBX
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 94 01:17:15 EST
Organization: [MindVox] / Phantom Access Technologies / (+1 800-MindVox)
I want some kind of system that will give me automated attendant
voicemail and multiline capabilities. The number of lines is four to
six; the number of instruments is four to start.
Any recommendations/things to stay away from? Cost IS an issue.
I was wondering if I can do this with Intellipath digital centrex on
either DMS-100 or 5ESS, or what would be the most cost-effective key
system?
Thanks.
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Lars Kalsen)
Subject: Telecommunications and Computers
Date: 25 Feb 94 12:04:21 GMT
Organization: DKnet
Hi -
I am trying to get an overview over the area:
Systems integrating Telecommunication and Computers
===================================================
It could be voice-response systems which are placing orders directly
in the company's computer system. Or systems for customer service
which integrate telephony with customer datases in an intelligent way.
Or it could be anything else.
If you:
- have knowledge of such systems I would like to
have a short desciption.(Maybe you compnay have some).
- know articles on the subject - I would like to have
a reference
- know any or sites where I can look for inforamtion - i
would like to hera from you.
Any inforamtion is appreciated. Plaese E-mail me if you have some.
Greetings from Denmark,
Lars Kalsen
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Who Sells Used Telecom Gear?
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 1994 10:43:28 -0500
Organization: Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA
I'm looking for a small, used PBX ("small" is defined as three or four
lines). The cheaper, the better, which is why I want used equipment.
Any pointers?
Thanks!
Pat
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 94 12:41:09 EST
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Radio Program on History of the Telephone
Organization: AT&T
WBEZ (FM 91.5, Chicago) will be broadcasting a for-part "radio history
of the telephone", titled "Hell's Bells", starting Feb. 28 at 7:00-8:00
PM. The other three parts will be aired March 1, 2, and 7 (same time).
This is an American Public Radio program; the folks at the station
said it will likely be aired on other APR or NPR stations around the
country, but on different schedules. Check with your local station,
or call Israel Smith at APR in Minneapolis, 612-338-5000.
Ralph Chapman AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, IL
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Lars Borg)
Subject: Neal-Wilkinson Trunk Capacity Table
Organization: Northern Telecom, Network Application Systems
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 17:26:34 GMT
Would someone please E-mail a copy of the Neal-Wilkinson trunk
capacity tables, or tell me were I can find a copy?
Lars G. Borg, E-mail:
[email protected]
Northern Telcom / Network Application Systems (716) 654-2573
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 12:56:48 -0800
From:
[email protected] (Linc Madison)
Subject: Why Are Rates to India Increasing?
I was looking at yet another one of those newspaper ads for the
various LD companies' international discount calling plans, and I've
noticed that they list numbers like "India 73 cents (thru 3/30/94, 78
cents after)"
Is the PTT in India increasing its "landing fees"?
Linc Madison * Oakland, California *
[email protected]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 13:39:23 -0600
From: Yuxing Tian <
[email protected]>
Subject: What Happened to my Answering Machine?
[I live in Chicago, and have a normal greeting message in my answering
machine.]
Here is the story:
Yesterday, when I got home and listen to the messages left in my
answering machine. A strange message is:
( ~10 seconds music)
( two rings at the other end)
( a lady picked up the phone and asked "Hello, Number?")
( ~2 seconds silent)
( she hung up.)
Could anybody lighten me about what happened? Thanks a lot.
------------------------------
Date: 24 Feb 1994 17:53:24 U
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Information Wanted on TR303, AIN 0.1
I have two questions:
How wide spread is TR303 deployed?
Is anyone using AIN 0.1 today on their class 5 switches? Which
switches are they available on?
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Min Hu)
Subject: Information Needed on Satellite Phone
Organization: University of Toronto Physics/Astronomy/CITA
Date: Fri, 25 Feb 1994 01:11:52 GMT
Hi,
During the gulf war, both the reporters and the American soldiers used
a kind of satellite phone system so that they could communicate with
outside world. Does anybody out there know companies who make or sell
this kind of mobile phone system?
The following features will be desirable.
1. Ability to communicate while the phone is in motion (say a jeep)
2. The diameter of the antanne should be less than 1 meter
3. The satellite carrier should be either American satellite or sea monitoring
satellite.
4. The antanne should be all-direction antanne, do not have to worry about
the direction of the satellite.
It will be greatly appreciated if you can offer any clue as how to
find this kind of company.
Thanks in advance.
HU MIN, University of Toronto, Dept. of Physics
Toronto, Ontario, Canada. M5S 1A7
Email:
[email protected] /
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Cristy)
Subject: Information Wanted on FCC 91-115
Organization: DuPont Central Research & Development
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 1994 22:06:52 GMT
My latest phone bill allows for some additional privacy for customers
of unlisted numbers. I disagree with the requirement to pay the
$1.50+ charge per month to be eligible for increased privacy. The
reference is FCC 91-115. Does anyone know the text of this ruling or
where I can get access to this ruling?
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Tom Betz)
Subject: NYNEX "Slamming" 800 Business Directories?
Date: 24 Feb 1994 14:04:37 -0500
Organization: Betz & Associates
While reviewing our business phone bill, I noticed a $24.99 charge for
an "1994 ATT BUS GUD" and a $3.50 shipping and handling charge. I
enquired about it to NYNEX billing, who told me that "1994 ATT BUS
GUD" means "1994 AT&T Toll-Free National 800 Directory", and that I
had called an 800 number and ordered it.
In fact, in January I had received a call from a telemarketer asking
me if I wanted it, and had told them no, specifically telling them
that as an AT&T 800 customer, I get these for free on request.
When one arrived recently, our receptionist signed for it, and when I
saw it, I assumed that our AT&T rep had sent it to us; in fact, the
NYNEX telemarketer had disregarded my refusal and sent it to us, and
then told NYNEX that I had called >him< and placed an order for it!
Apparently, NYNEX has hired a sleazy outfit, one that is lying to
NYNEX about the orders it has received, to do some of its
telemarketing. I wonder how many thousands of times this year NYNEX
will be collecting $29.49 from businesses who, like me, said "no" when
solicited to buy this book, but who don't notice the charge on their
bills? How many millions of dollars in commissions will this sleaze
operation earn from these tactics?
Check your bills, folks.
Tom Betz ---- 114 Woodworth Ave, Yonkers NY 10701-2509
(914) 332-7511 -
[email protected] [email protected]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 94 12:47:00 EST
From:
[email protected]
Subject: InterLATA CID
Organization: AT&T
I have a question regarding the use of Caller ID on Inter-LATA calls.
Currently the technology exists to deliver the calling number to the
terminating LEC office:
Originating-->--ISUP-->--InterLATA-->--ISUP-->--Terminating
CID LEC Carrier CID LEC
Since this information in most cases is deliverable right now, why
doesn't InterLATA CID exist? The only reason I've heard so far is
that the RBOCs must be "de-regulated" before they can accept/deliver
Inter-LATA originating numbers. This doesn't seem to make much sense.
Perhaps it's just a matter of working out which carrier charges who
and for how much or is there another reason?
adTHANKSvance,
Terry Nelson @ AT&T
ATTMail:
[email protected] GEnie:
[email protected]
America On Line:
[email protected] UUCP: wnxser!tjnelson
UUCP via Internet:
[email protected]
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 94 12:41 EST
From:
[email protected] (John R Levine)
Subject: Re: Vermont Gets Ready For NNX Area Codes
Organization: I.E.C.C., Cambridge, Mass.
> Please explain these two statements. If it's a "free local call"
> (within the same area code, no less), then it's not a toll call, so
> why is "Vermont's new toll dialing plan" relevant here at all?
We're in Morgan, Vt. which has its own 895 exchange. But since we're
way out on the east edge of town, we're closer to Island Pond, so we
have an Island Pond 723 phone number. Normally, a call from 723 to
895 is a toll call, but there's a rule that all calls within your own
town are considered local, so as a special case, calls to Morgan 895
numbers are free (or at worse charged message units) even though
they're dialed as toll calls. There are 895 numbers in Holland and
West Charleston as well; don't know if I get charged for them or not.
> Do you currently dial these calls as eight digits (1 + 7D)? If so, why?
Yup. Same reason.
> Are there any other places in the NANP where local intra-NPA calls
> require more than seven digits to dial?
This situation is quite common in rural areas, and the rule that calls
within your town are free seems to be ancient and widespread.
In New Hampshire, NET came up with a uniquely awful way to implement
this: you were supposed to make such calls on your calling card, then
when the bill came, call up the business office and ask them to adjust
the bill. I think they now do it automatically as well.
[re having to dial calls from 802-723 to 802-895 with 11 digits, even
though they are free for us because it's within the same town]
> I wonder why Nynex doesn't fix this. If they are smart enough to bill
> those calls at local (not toll) rates, they should also have the skills
> to let you *dial* them as local (not toll) calls.
It'd require per-line dialing plan programming in the switch,
something that I don't think CO switches are set up to do. Most 723
customers are in Island Pond, so for them 895 really is a toll call.
Some 723 customers are in East Charleston, who have to be able to call
895 numbers in West Charleston (same town, different P.O.) for free,
but not necessarily 895 numbers in Morgan or Holland. The same
applies for 895 customers calling 723, of course.
I expect that it's a lot easier to fix this at the time bills are
printed, since the bill printing computer has all of the address
information available and, more important, doesn't have to figure out
the answer in real time.
NYNEX's original proposal was to make all intra-NPA calls in its
territory 7D regardless of toll, which would have solved this problem
once and for all. Unfortunately, state regulators insisted that they
go to 1 + NPA for calls that used to be 1 + 7D.
Here's another example of 1+ nonsense: I live in Cambridge Mass., and
my sister lives in Lexington, about 10 miles away. For me to call her
is a message unit call, not dialed with 1+, which costs 6.5 cents for
the first minute, 5.5 cents for subsequent minutes, with no time of
day discount.
On weekends, intra-NPA toll calls to places like Nantucket (50 miles
away) cost less than calling Lexington because they have time-of-day
discounts. Indeed, on weekends it saves money to dial her with a
10333 prefix and hand this local call to Sprint!
Regards,
John Levine,
[email protected],
[email protected],
[email protected]
------------------------------
From:
[email protected]
Subject: Re: Vermont Gets Ready For NNX Area Codes
Date: 24 Feb 1994 21:21:54 GMT
Organization: Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
John Levine writes:
> A flyer in my latest phone bill reveals that Vermont's new toll
> dialing plan is 1-802-NNX-XXXX...
> Personally, I find the new plan to be a big pain in the neck, since,
> due to a peculiarity of exchange boundaries, it'll require that I dial
> most free local calls within our town with 11 digits.
and Bob Goudreau asks:
> If it's a "free local call" (within the same area code, no less), then
> it's not a toll call, so why is "Vermont's new toll dialing plan"
> relevant here at all? Do you currently dial these calls as eight
> digits (1 + 7D)? If so, why?
A number of years ago, the Vermont PUC mandated that calls to a
telephone located in the same town[*] must be billed as local calls,
regardless of exchange boundaries. The intent was that people should
not have to pay toll charges to call their town offices.
But because the state is rural, and hilly, a few outlying houses in a
town may be separated from the rest of the town by a ridge of hills.
It may be easier for the phone company to wire them into a neighboring
exchange -- even when that exchange is far enough away from the town
that the two exchanges would be considered "long distance"
These outlying people will have to dial 1-802 + 7D to call their
neighbors in the same town, but it's a local call for them. Other
people in their exchange, for whom the call crosses town boundaries,
would pay toll charges. These calls are currently dialed as 1 + 7D.
Andy
[*] Note: "Towns" in Vermont are what most states call "townships".
Everyone in a given town is governed by the same officials, has the
same fire department, etc.
Andy Behrens
P.O. Box 116, South Strafford, Vt. (802) 765-4138
------------------------------
From:
[email protected] (Patricia Snyder-Rayl)
Subject: CONNECT SysOp Subscription Discount Offer
Date: 24 Feb 1994 16:29:44 -0500
Organization: Cyberspace Communications Public-Access UNIX
CONNECT Magazine Offers Special Subscription Rate for BBS Sysops
================================================================
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you've seen our advertising in books such as the "Whole Earth Online
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issue of U.S. News & World Report. Or maybe you've just heard about
the magazine from talk on the commercial online services, or seen the
CONNECT Online BBS Edition door on a local BBS.
But, you still haven't subscribed. As a BBS sysop, perhaps you've just
been too busy keeping your system in peak shape. And maybe you've also
been thinking about advertising your BBS via CONNECT's International
BBS Listing or Service Ads.
Well, we're making you an offer that'll save you money *AND* give your
BBS some added international exposure.
To receive details and the necessary form, email your request to
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CONNECT Magazine (313) 973-8825
"The Modem User's Resource" (313) 973-0411 fax services, Internet and BBS
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------------------------------
End of TELECOM Digest V14 #104
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