TELECOM Digest Tue, 4 Jan 94 20:10:30 CST Volume 14 : Issue 4 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Sprint Response to MCI Announcement (John D. Gretzinger) Magazine Telemarketers From (Heck) (Andrew C. Green) Book Review: "Kermit: a File Transfer Protocol" by Da Cruz (Rob Slade) Need Help Wiring OLD Extension Phone to Modern System (Rob Levandowski) Old AT&T/Wsetern Electric Documents (George Thurman) TasCom Managers, etc. Sought (Scott Sanbeg) NBC Computer Series (Barry Mishkind) SWBMS to Reduce Roam Rates! (Mark W. Earle) Fundraising/Saving Program (Steve Freedkin) 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: * telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu * 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: ptownson@townson.com. ** Article submission address only: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu ** 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: JOHN.D.GRETZINGER@sprint.sprint.com Date: 4 Jan 94 19:18:24-0500 Subject: Sprint Response to MCI Announcement Passed along for your enjoyment. John D. Gretzinger Sprint doesn't speak for me, and I don't speak for them. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Forwarded message from PC SprintMail: STATEMENT FROM WILLIAM T. ESREY, SPRINT CHAIRMAN & CEO IN RESPONSE TO MCI "NETWORK CATCH-UP" ANNOUNCEMENT "Sprint is not at all surprised by MCI's network catch-up announcement. More than a year ago, Sprint announced its broadband network plans to deploy SONET and ATM. We were the first to offer commercial ATM service in August 1993. We continue to have the most modern network and remain as the only 100 percent digital, fiber-optic long distance carrier. "MCI is very good at packaging announcements that make mountains out of molehills. Sprint hopes the public will take this latest ploy for what it is -- a slick admission of being behind in terms of technology deployment. "On the other hand, MCI's foray into local access has some merit. Sprint long has endorsed expanded local competition and believes MCI's efforts may be one in a long series of steps necessary before local competition will exist. Network Upgrades "We agree with MCI that it's going to take a lot of people working together to build the information superhighway. Sprint welcomes MCI and others aboard this significant effort. "An important first step in the investment in the National Information Infrastructure is the development and expansion of the network. "We announced our strategic vision for our advanced network a year and a half ago and are the only carrier implementing a broadband data strategy. We were also the first carrier to announce plans for SONET, which we revealed over a year ago. Since that time, we have moved from opening up pipes, which is the basis of today's announcement, to the many exciting applications that are driving the National Information Infrastructure concept. "The examples are numerous. For example, our InterNet capabilities are unrivaled. Sprint offers the most widespread Internet connectivity through SprintLink(R) network -- the first and only TCP/IP network service for commercial and government Internet users to be offered by a carrier. This service has expanded to offer international connections and forms the core of the global Internet, with two-thirds of the international Internet traffic to and from the United States being carried on SprintLink. This service originated from a cooperative agreement between Sprint and the National Science Foundation to provide international InterNet connections to the domestic InterNet. "Sprint has been and continues to be the leader in introducing leading edge technologies, which are the 'building blocks' of the information superhighway, to the marketplace. We led the industry by being the first major long distance company to deploy frame relay, and we have more frame relay customers than any of our competitors. We were also the first to deploy ATM service and our first customer turned up service last year. "Our leadership in this key technology has been widely recognized -- most recently by the government by being selected to provide ESNet for the Department of Energy and NASA -- because of our unique ability to offer ATM. "That recognition as the technology leader in ATM extends to the telecom industry, as well as the academic and government communities, by being the only company selected to provide ATM for the National Information Infrastructure Testbed. NIIT is a consortium of business, government and academic leaders working together to speed the delivery of the information highway. "Our ATM leadership, in conjunction with our 1993 deployment of SONET, will ensure that Sprint continues to build on its reputation as the advanced networking leader. Local Access "The virtual monopoly that exists today in local access is troublesome for the long distance industry. Currently, more than 99 percent of long distance traffic originates and terminates over facilities owned by local telephone companies, principally the Regional Bell Operating Companies. Long distance competitors are at the mercy of local telcos, since they are the only way to reach our customers. Today, about 45 percent of the cost to carry a long distance call is a direct payment to the local telephone company for the 'last mile' connection. "Sprint has been an advocate of expanded competition in local access primarily because of the excessive cost of access charged by the RBOCs in their respective operating areas. "MCI's plan to build local access networks in major metropolitan areas could be another step toward local competition. Competition will not happen overnight, however. It took more than 15 years of constant litigation and ultimately the breakup of the Bell System before competing carriers were able to establish a meaningful presence in long distance. The local monopolies of the RBOCs are at least as strong as the monopoly enjoyed by Bell in long distance prior to divestiture. "MCI's plans, no matter how grand, should be viewed much the same as the plans for local access that have been announced by cable television, cellular and PCS providers -- positively, but without expectations of near-term impact. "The issue of RBOC entry into the interexchange market does not change with MCI's plans. True competition for local access is still many years away. Until there is actual and effective competition in the local loop and the bottleneck is broken, the RBOCs should not be allowed to act as both competitors and virtual sole source access providers to long distance carriers. When the means and opportunity for the RBOCs to discriminate against long distance competitors is lifted through competitive local access, then, and only then, should the restrictions on the Bell companies be lifted." Jan. 4, 1994 ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jan 1994 10:33:40 CST From: "Andrew C. Green" Subject: Magazine Telemarketers From (Heck) As a member of what are apparently some very popular demographic categories, I get a constant stream of telemarketing calls. Most are semi-intelligent types who drop the effort when we decline the offer, but recently we've had a string of bozos all originating from one source, and before I go on the attack, I thought I'd poll the forum here for anyone else who's had the same experience. I recently renewed my subscription to "Car and Driver" magazine, a publication boasting circulation of something like 1.1 million, if memory serves. At about the same time, I received a call from a true whacko who thanked me for resubscribing to C&D, then offered me one of those multi-magazine subscriptions where they quote you a low weekly rate (failing to mention that the monthly charge is higher than individual subscriptions direct from the actual publishers), plus a set of Ginsu steak knives. Yes, really. He got insulting when I pointed out that his math didn't add up and that Car and Driver probably did not appreciate his trying to sell "Road and Track" subscriptions from their mailing list. Last night I got another call from a girl who also thanked me for my C&D subscription, then tried desperately to foist a 16.9% Visa card at me. No, thank you, said I. "But it's pre-approved!" she shrieked, apparently not aware that gainfully-employed people get those things all the time. ;-) Not _two_ _hours_ later, an elderly lady from "DialAmerica Marketing" called. You guessed it: she thanked me for my Car & Driver subscription, and would I like to extend it at the 1993 rate? She disavowed any knowledge of the preceding Froot Loops, which I sort of believed, as it appears that Car & Driver has painted my phone number on an expressway overpass somewhere, and promised to relocate my number to their "Do Not Call" list. Nevertheless, this magazine has far surpassed all others on my Telemarketing Annoyance scale, and before I start complaining to the magazine, I'd be interested in hearing from any other TELECOM Digest/Car and Driver subscribers who have experienced the same thing. E-mail is fine; I'll submit any interesting followup news in the future. Andrew C. Green Datalogics, Inc. Internet: acg@dlogics.com 441 W. Huron UUCP: ..!uunet!dlogics!acg Chicago, IL 60610-3498 FAX: (312) 266-4473 ------------------------------ Date: 4 Jan 94 14:59 -0600 From: Rob Slade Subject: Book Review: "Kermit: a File Transfer Protocol" by Da Cruz BKKERMIT.RVW 931123 Digital Press PO Box 3027 One Burlington Woods Drive Burlington, MA 01803-9593 800-DIGITAL (800-344-4825) "Kermit: a File Transfer Protocol", da Cruz, 1987 KERMIT@CUVMA.BITNET fdc@watsun.cc.columbia.edu It may be that Kermit is popular because it is a robust file transfer protocol suitable for almost any line or network conditions. It may be that Kermit is popular because it is available for pretty much any computer you can name (and a bunch that you can't). It may be that Kermit is popular because it is free. Or, it may be that Kermit is popular because of the (written) communications skills of Christine Gianone and Frank da Cruz. As Kermit is both protocol and communications program, so this book is an introduction to computer communications, protocol specification, introduction to the Kermit implementations and programmers' reference guide, all rolled into one. An ambitious task, but one handled with grace and skill, in this instance. Part one gives us the basics of the development of Kermit and of data communications from the user's perspective. This confirms that, yes, the name was inspired by the Jim Henson muppet character (or, more exactly, by a Muppets wall calendar). One hopes that Jim Henson approves of this memorial. Chapter two does not get into exhaustive detail on computer (mostly PC) communications, but does cover the fundamental steps and needs with more brevity, completeness and wit than one sees in many works intended for the mass market. (I am sorry to see the confusion of "baud" and "bits per second", although the two terms are correctly defined in the glossary.) Part two gives us two primers; one on computers and data files, and the other on data communications. The section is well named. Both chapters are easily understood by the novice and provide the minimum necessary information to proceed from. Excellent pieces, both of them. Part three is an introduction to using Kermit. Chapter five describes a set of the most commonly used commands, including an introduction to the simplest login scripts. Chapter six discusses common problems while seven deals with the possibly thorny issue of getting Kermit into your machine in the first place. Included in this last chapter is a BASIC source code program for a "read only" Kermit protocol for downloading files. Part four is a guide to writing a Kermit implementation. Quite a complete guide: not only does it give you the protocol specification (which is still *the* protocol specification) but also optional features, advanced options and even tips on programming style. Appendices give you the bulk of the Kermit source code (in C), a command summary, packet summary, the ASCII character set and a discussion of binary, octal and hexadecimal numbers and notation. If you want to build your own implementation of Kermit, this is the book for you. If you care nothing for programming, and have only bought your computer in order to "get online", this is the book for you, too. (Be sure to get "Using MS-DOS Kermit," too.) (cf. BKUMSKMT.RVW) For those in between, this is an excellent resource to have around to answer those "how does work?" type questions. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993 BKKERMIT.RVW 931123 Permission granted to distribute with unedited copies of the TELECOM Digest and associated newsgroups/mailing lists. DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters Editor and/or reviewer ROBERTS@decus.ca, RSlade@sfu.ca, Rob Slade at 1:153/733 DECUS Symposium '94, Vancouver, BC, Mar 1-3, 1994, contact: rulag@decus.ca ------------------------------ From: rlvd_cif@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Rob Levandowski) Subject: Need Help Wiring OLD Extension Phone to Modern System Organization: University of Rochester - Rochester, New York Date: Tue, 4 Jan 94 22:38:20 GMT Hi! I have an antique extension phone that I'd like to connect to my phone system. It's a small black desk set, with no dial, but there is a blank for one. On the back, below the hook, is stamped the legend "D1 USA". Inside, "K-7" is stamped into the metal and "IV 37" is printed in red paint. The handset is labelled "Western Electric [tm etc] E1". The cord from handset to base is fabric-sheathed, and contains three rubber-sheathed wires: red, white, and black. Inside, the hook operates two leaf switches. The black and white wires are each attached to just one of the two leaf switches; i.e., black to one switch, white to the other. The red wire is attached to a terminal by itself. The line cord is missing; the empty terminals on the switches are marked for green (GN) and yellow (Y) wire. I don't want to add a ringer or a dial; I'd simply like to be able to use this phone to answer a call when I hear another phone ringing. If anyone can tell me what I need to do to connect this to a modern phone system, I'd sure appreciate it -- and so would my mother! :) Please cc: replies to macwhiz@cif.rochester.edu; I am on vacation and won't be reading news often, but email will get forwarded to someplace I can reach it! :) Rob Levandowski Computer Interest Floor associate / University of Rochester macwhiz@cif.rochester.edu ------------------------------ From: gst@gagme.wwa.com (George Thurman) Subject: Old AT&T/Wsetern Electric Documents Date: Tue, 4 Jan 1994 05:37:18 CST Here is a message I saw on Fidonet that I thought TELECOM Digest readers would find of interest. *********************** Msg#:14544 *SHORTWAVE* 07-25-93 21:37:00 From: DON KIMBERLIN To: ALL Subj: AT&T INFO ON-LINE It's fairly often that someone comes across an old bit of Western Electric-made equipment from the heyday of the Olde Bell System, and lacks the needed drawings or instructions to try to make use of it. Perhaps the most common old items we hear people asking about are the old 1A Key Telephone Systems using 26-pair cable to hook the telephone sets up to their common equipment cabinets in a wide variety of configurations. Or, perhaps there are items of how things like managing trouble reports in telecommunications systems are handled, or what _are_ all those abbreviations and acronyms used by telephone companies? Or, perhaps you even need documentation for something newer, like a 3B2 minicomputer or a System 75 or 85 PBX ... or maybe you have a strange "data set" with a nomenclature like 201C or 2048, and would like to know if you can make use of it. There _is_ a repository of much of this information that's often handed down verbally or misquoted from memory. Today's name for it is the AT&T Customer Information Center, and it's located in Indianapolis, Indiana. You can telephone (800) 432-6600 or (317) 322-6484 to get telephone assistance from the AT&T CIC staff, and place orders with them for publications to help you, and there's now an on-line searchable link to their catalog, so you can browse as you will at any hour of the day or night through all their many years of material. Here's some text from their announcement of the AT&T CIC on-line offering: "INTRODUCING THE MOST COMPLETE CATALOG OF AT&T DOCUMENTS AT&T's Customer Information Center (CIC) now offers a free on-line catalog where you can locate and order from over 380,000 documents using your PC terminal. Find documents using key word, title, subject or document number. Then use the on-line order form for simple and quick service! Access the CIC database using the directions below, then simply follow the prompts: AT&T Datakit Users Dial-Up Users At the "destination" prompt, enter: Telephone Sue Rea at 426/813/nik1.telnet..sunids 317-322-6491 for instructions and a logon ID and password. THROUGH THE CIC CATALOG YOU CAN LOCATE: o AT&T Plant and Engineering Practices o Product Manuals o User Guides o Installation and Service Manuals o Books o Brochures o Catalogs o Product Bulletins o Handbooks o Newsletters o Training Materials o Engineering Drawings o Technical Bulletins o Product Specifications o Administrative Forms o Employee Benefit Literature o International Telephone Directories Questions regarding the CIC catalog should be directed to Brenda Oeff at 317-322-6626." Origin: Borderline! BBS Kannapolis,N.C. (704) 938-6207 (1:379 (1:379/37.0) ----------------- GEORGE S. THURMAN (312) 509-6308 gst@wwa.com ------------------------------ From: ssanbeg@hebron.connected.com (Scott Sanbeg) Subject: TasCom Managers, etc. Sought Date: Tue, 4 Jan 1994 14:40:24 -0800 Organization: Connected INC -- Internet Services Provider Hello all, We are using two TasCOM systems to provide call-center services to our client base. I am searching for other users/managers of this system, and any info on user groups, periodicals, internals and so forth on the machine. Please email if interested. Scott Sanbeg Computer Systems Engineer, Seattle, WA ssanbeg@hebron.connected.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 04 Jan 94 10:52 MST From: barry@coyote.datalog.com (barry mishkind) Subject: NBC Computer Series Last week NBC did a series of reports on the "Information Superhighway." A couple of things I noticed: 1. The address for the broadcast is nightly@nbc.com 2. During the report on voice recognition, the filming was done at a 'state-of-the-art voice recognition company'. The man demonstrating the system was dictating something about sending information " ... on voice mail ..." Sure ... the crt printed out " ... envoy smell". Really. Do you suppose this was a poke at the State Department? Barry ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jan 94 17:39 EST From: Mark W. Earle <0006127039@mcimail.com> Subject: SWBMS to Reduce Roam Rates! Enclosed with my cellular bill from Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, Corpus Christi, TX was the usual glossy newsletter. Of interest: Now it is more convenient and more economical to take your cellular phone with you when you're traveling. SWBMS is working iwth other cellular companies to give you lower roaming rates in over 350 markets, or approximately 25% of all cellular markets. Beginning in December, cellular companies will begin lowering roaming rates in two ways. First, the daily charges will be eliminated and second, the per minute rate will be reduced. You will save money based on the amount of roaming that you do. For example, if you travel to a market where the daily charge is $3/day and .75/min, you'll receive a tremendous savings. (Note: I'd be happy while roaming, with zero daily fee and any airtime rate < $1/min. This looks pretty good) SWBMS customers currently enjoy reduced roaming rates throughout Texas. When you are traveling in the Lone Star Cellular Network, you already pay a reduced rate of only .50/min. The LSCN is an exclusive service of SWBMS (Note: In GTE cities, Houston and Austin, the rate charged by GTE is .40/min. Although "exclusive" to SWBMS, Texas GTE MobilNet customers are also part of the LSCN for billing purposes when they roam in SWBMS cities. mwe) Through these agreements, you will enjoy the added benefit of using your cellular phone while traveling (Cynical note: We'll make even more monies!) and you will see what an added value a cellular phone can be. And you can be sure SWBMS will continue to lead the way by providing even better service to our coustomers. (OK, when is seamless roaming for the 'B' side coming? When will my features, forwarding, voice mail, etc. work while I'm roaming?) (Note: Any month there is roaming billed, a $3 "roamer admin fee" is added to the bill. With GTE, it's cheaper than roaming in SWBMS nearby systems, strangely. No list of cities comprising the 350 markets was provided). Typos my own: SWBMS always spelled out, I abbreviated it. Likewise LSCN. mwearle@mcimail.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 4 Jan 1994 23:56:14 -0800 From: Steve Freedkin Subject: Fundraising/Saving Program MONEY SAVING & RAISING OPPORTUNITY Hello, and happy new year! -- I want to let you know about an opportunity for organizations and individuals to save 10% on all their long-distance calling, and organizations to raise money with minimal cost and no obligation. The deregulation of long-distance telephone service created many opportunities, including this one, which should be of interest to those who follow telecommunications developments. | * GUARANTEED! 10% SAVINGS ON ALL LONG-DISTANCE CALLS | | * 5% OF YOUR CALLING BENEFITS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION | I used to be director of a local nonprofit peace resource center that raised money through a service that saved our constituents money *and* generated royalties for us. The program is a long-distance telephone service that was started in 1990 to benefit nonprofits. The company, Affinity Fund, gives each customer rates *guaranteed* to be below whatever the person is currently paying for long distance, and at the same time gives the nonprofit that signs up the customer a 5-percent royalty on that person's long-distance usage every month. (Affinity arranges for the actual service to be provided by one of the nation's foremost long-distance carriers, so there's no difference in service quality.) Groups that are raising money this way now include schools, Central America support groups, community radio stations, Sister Cities programs, local and national peace groups (War Resisters League is one), nonprofit community newspapers and media services, etc. If you'd like information about Affinity please contact me and I'll pass it along. Or, please pass this note on to the appropriate person. Let me know whether you're interested as a customer who'd like to save 10% on all your long-distance; representing a nonprofit that might like to raise money using this method; or both. | If you *aren't* interested please ignore | | this message, and accept my best wishes. | Thanks for your attention, and have a safe and prosperous 1994! Peace, Steve Freedkin Email: sfreedkin@igc.apc.org P.O. Box 91817 Phone: 805/682-9986 Santa Barbara, Recorded message (3 minutes): 805/569-0983 CA 93190-1817 Explains Affinity Fund, Available 24 hours [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I'm happy to pass along Steve's message even though as all regular readers here know, I do the very same thing myself where this Digest is concerned. Orange Calling Card royalties along with Telepassport royalties help in a small way to offset the cost of producing this Digest each day. The 'affinity' method of selling long distance phone service is an approach which has helped many non-profit organizations in the past three years since it was conceived. PAT] ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V14 #4 ****************************