DP Tool Club 19/CD_ASCQ_19_010295.iso/vrac/tc14_404.zip/TC14-404.TXT

Text File | 1994-11-13 | 25KB | 576 lines

TELECOM Digest     Fri, 28 Oct 94 01:38:00 CDT    Volume 14 : Issue
404

Inside This Issue:                           Editor: Patrick A.
Townson

    New Area Code for Georgia (Atlanta Constitution via Michael King)
    Services Available For a Small Fee :-) (Jonathan A. Solomon)
    LAA Operator Reference Data Base (Carl A. Wright)
    NPTN Policy on Free-Net/Commercial Conflicts (Monty Solomon)
    Duplicate Post-Split NXXes in Toronto (Dave Leibold)
    Wierd Experience With Payphone (John W. Barrus)
    FCC Rulemaking on Wireless E911 (Joe Hersey)
    Cellular Phone Fraud Operator Arrested (Washington Times via Paul
Robinson)

TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not
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----------------------------------------------------------------------

From: [e-mail] (Michael King)
Subject: New Area Code for Georgia
Date: 27 Oct 1994 17:57:42 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)


According to a recent article in the {Atlanta Constitution}, Southern
Bell has announced that area code 770 will be assigned to the Atlanta
metropolitan area in October 1995.

The article indicates that Southern Bell/Bell South has not decided
the specific area for the new code yet ... there are three proposals:

         1> Split 404/770 geographically with either one of the
            new codes taking up one side of the area or with the
            older 404 AC being relegated to the area inside the
            Perimeter (I-285) or 404 as the city of Atlanta
            proper.

         2> Flat-out overlay 770 on top of 404 so that two houses
            next to each other could concievably have two different
            area codes (!?)

         3> Use 770 as a cellular overlay much in the same fashion
            as other metropolitan areas around the US. (this is the
            form that is preferred by Southern Bell)

The article indicates that the method of the split along with the
boundaries of the split-area will be announced early next year.


Michael King  --  General Manager WIGO/AM - Atlanta
Morning Talk Show Host & Chief Cook & Bottle Washer

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

Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 17:57:07 -0400
From: [e-mail] (Jonathan A. Solomon)
Subject: Services Available For a Small Fee :-)


I offer help in setting up computers, fax machines, copiers, and also
support in ordering residence and business telephone service including
extra services and centrex/PBX service, and private telephone
networks. Public and Private computer networks, as well.

If you are interested in my services, you can send me mail as
[e-mail]. You will get a response even if you can't afford
it. Say whether or not you will be able to pay before asking the
questions ... your ability to pay will influence my ability to serve
you.

The fee is optional, if you can afford it, you can pay me. If you
can't afford it, then it is free.  I would say about $25.00/hour, but
again that is optional.


Cheers,

JSol


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Jon Solomon was the founding moderator
and editor of TELECOM Digest; he started this e-journal back in 1981
and maintained it for a few years prior to it being passed on to me in
1988.  Like myself, Jon has seen his share of problems over the past
few years and I would highly recommend his work to persons or firms
seeking a highly qualified expert on telephone systems/networks and/or
Unix computer systems. In fact, Jon arranged for me to get my first
internet account many, many years ago. Please, don't anyone else ask
me for a raw promotional plug like this, but in Jon's case he really
does deserve it.   PAT]

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

From: [e-mail]
Subject: LAA Operator Reference Data Base
Date: 27 Oct 1994 23:39:56 GMT
Organization: Lynn-Arthur Associates, Ann Arbor, MI
Reply-To: [e-mail]


Lynn-Arthur Associates, Inc. (LAA) announces its Operator Reference
Data Base (ORDB) for the A.T.& T. 5ESS(R) telephone switch. The ORDB
provides on-line access to a suite of databases used by telephone
operators to answer caller questions and to handle emergency
situations. The ORDB connects to the specialized telephone operator
workstations through the A.T.& T. 5ESS(R).

The ORDB will be delivered by year end to three telephone companies,
Minnesota Equal Access Network Services (Plymouth, MN), Compania
Dominicana de Telefonos (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic), and
Brazoria Telephone Company (Brazoria, TX). Minnesota Equal Access is a
network services company owned by more than sixty small telephone
companies in Minnesota. Compania Dominicana de Telefonos is a GTE
owned wireline telephone company which serves the entire Dominican
Republic.  Brazoria Telephone Company is a small family-run company
located an hour's drive from Houston, TX.

The ORDB is implemented in Objective-C in the NextStep operating
system using distributed objects. It is available to run on Intel and
Hewlett- Packard computers. The ORDB is a high-demand mission-critical
applic- ation delivered on two redundant computer systems. The A.T.&
T. 5ESS(R) switch is connected to the ORDB over a number of X.25
digital links. The number of links is dependent on the number of
operators and expected transaction loads.

LAA delivers the ORDB as a turn-key solution of hardware, software,
tariff database, training, and installation support. Delivery takes
approximately six weeks from contract signing.

ORDB consists of five major software components. Three of these
components run on NextStep and the fourth and fifth run in the
DOS/Windows environment.

1. The "Operator Service" component receives all the queries from the
operators connected to the 5ESS switch, processes them, and answers
the
transactions. All knowledge of the 5ESS switch is within.

2. The "TeleRate(tm) Rating" component performs all pricing of
telephone
services. All knowledge of telephone services, their costs, and the
database of tariffs is within. This service provides rate information
for customer queries.

3. The "ORDB Control" component is an application which communicates
with the real-time process to stop, start, monitor, and modify the
mission-critical ORDB application.

4. The "ORDB Data Control" is a Windows application for the operator
service data clerks who control the data on which operator services
are
based.

5. The "RTRS Data Control" is a DOS/Windows suite of applications for
the tariff analysts who control the data on which pricing is based.

"TeleRate(tm) Rating" and "RTRS Data Control" components are used in
our
real-time rating product and act as servers when more than one applica-
tion which use them is running.

For more information, contact Mr. Carl Wright at [phone] or at
"[e-mail]".

Mailing address: Lynn-Arthur Associates, Inc.
                 2350 Green Road, Suite 160
                 Ann Arbor, MI 48103

Fax phone:   [phone]

Immediate availability

5ESS(R) is a trademark of A.T.& T.


Carl A. Wright       Lynn-Arthur Associates, Inc.   [phone]
[e-mail]      Operations Support Systems     [phone]
(fax)
2350 Green Road      Suite 160                      Ann Arbor, MI,
48105 USA

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

Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 13:08:04 -0400
From: Monty Solomon <[e-mail]>
Subject: NPTN Policy on Free-Net/Commercial Conflicts


Passed along to the Digest FYI:

  Date: Mon, 17 Oct 1994 18:22:01 -0400
  From: [e-mail] (peter f. harter)
  To: [e-mail] (action mailing list)
  Subject: Policy

<<< PERMISSION IS GRANTED TO RE-PRINT OR RE-POST THE FOLLOWING
TO ANY MEDIUM, PROVIDED THE CONTENT IS IN NO WAY ALTERED. >>>

NPTN POLICY ON POTENTIAL FREE-NET/COMMERCIAL CONFLICTS

   Recently several incidents have come up which have focused
attention on the relationship between NPTN community computer systems
and commercial providers.  Rather than answer a zillion individual
e.mail messages, I thought I'd outline our position in one official
policy statement.

THE FREE-NET MODEL

   There are a variety of approaches to community networking, the
"Free-Net(R) model" being one of them.  Under our model we see no
conflict between the operation of our systems and ANY commercial
provider.  Indeed, it is quite the reverse.

   A Free-Net, properly run, is first and foremost a local system, run
by local people, using local resources, to meet local needs.  Our
Internet connections are incidental to our primary mission and our net
effect is to INCREASE the pool of telecomputing literate people to
whom commercial services could eventually be sold.

   A Free-Net, properly run, does NOT simply dump people onto the
Internet.  We believe in building community networks that are
locally-oriented "electronic cities," not simply "electronic bus
stations."  We believe that "cyberdumping" people--especially K-12
students--onto the raw Internet will NOT accomplish the goal of
bringing this nation into the information age with equity.

   We believe what is needed is a national network not just for the
people who are already on it, but for the people who are maybe two or
three waves back -- factory workers, farmers, blue collar people and
others.  This will not be accomplished by offering them access to the
card catalog at the University of Paris.  It MIGHT be accomplished if
we can create systems that allow them to find out what's going on at
their kids school, or what's happening with the latest flu-bug going
around town, or what's going on with their local pro sports team or,
for that matter, their own local bowling league.

   This does not conflict with any reasonable commercial interest; and
THIS is the heart and soul of Free-Netting.

   With regard to commercial providers who DO see a problem with our
work, there are two ways we can approach a resolution.  We can do it
via conflict; or we can do it via cooperation.


THE CONFLICT APPROACH

   Recently several small IP providers have threatened to bring legal
action against a number of community networks including at least one
of our organizing committees.

   Let me be absolutely clear on NPTN's position with regard to this:

   If anyone so much as touches one of our affiliates or organizing
committees with this kind of action -- we will jump in with both feet.
We have full-time legal council on staff; we have the money; we have
the time; and most importantly we have the WILL to fight this kind of
BS.  NPTN will simply not put up with it -- not with OUR systems --
not now, not ever.

   We are not trying to be adversarial in taking this position.  But
this kind of thing is one of the reasons why it is so important that
there BE an NPTN and why it's important for community networks to
affiliate.  Standing alone you can be picked-off and harassed into
submission on any number of fronts -- not because you are in the wrong
but because you simply do not have the resources to defend yourself.
There is indeed something to be said for the notion of "strength in
numbers" and NPTN represents that strength.

THE COOPERATIVE MODEL

   In many ways all this is reminiscent of a hundred years ago when
the free public library movement was gaining momentum.  The people who
were most in opposition were a handful of commercial bookstore
operators.  They argued that they would be "ruined" if public
libraries were allowed to take hold, and that spending governmental
funds represented unfair competition with them.  Who would ever BUY a
book, they argued, if you could get it from the library for FREE?

   I suspect everyone reading this document knows what actually
happened -- a synergy formed.  Public libraries introduced books,
reading, and in some cases literacy itself to whole classes of people
who would otherwise not have been exposed.  These people then became
customers of commercial bookstores, which made for a very healthy
publishing industry, which allowed the libraries to offer an
incredibly rich and diverse mixture of materials to their patrons, who
then went out and purchased even more books.

   It is EXACTLY that kind of synergy we would like to see form
between commercial providers of Internet and information-based
services, and the Free-Nets.  We seek a cooperative model, not a
conflict-based one.

   How can this occur?  In many ways, the answer to this question is
limited only by the creativity of the people involved.  To cite some
current examples:

   * In some areas commercial companies are, in whole or in part,
funding the development of local Free-Net systems -- because they
understand the importance of systematically developing a customer-base
for the future.

   * In other areas, commercial systems are purchasing NPTN
cybercasting services which not only provides their system with some
of the finest online content available anywhere in the world, but
helps to support the work of NPTN in developing further systems.

   * We are currently actively working with several commercial
companies on models which provide both free local Free-Net services
and "on-ramp" services for which a fee could be charged.  The Free-Net
provides a critical mass of potential customers, the on-ramp provides
the revenue stream necessary to operate the Free-Net in perpetuity.


   As mentioned above, our goal is cooperation with the commercial
world and we think that can be attained.  But we will not tolerate ANY
of our affiliates or organizing committees being legally harassed by
anyone.

   NPTN was there long before most of the commercial world knew there
was a "there" there.  We believe that calls for cooperation and
support -- not conflict.


Tom Grundner
President, NPTN
10/17/94

Tom Grundner
President, National Public Telecomputing Network
Office Address: 34555 Chagrin Blvd.  Moreland Hills, Ohio 44022
Mail Address:  P.O. Box 1987  Cleveland, Ohio 44106
Peter F. Harter, Executive Director & General Counsel
National Public Telecomputing Network (NPTN)
P.O. Box 1987, Cleveland, Ohio  44106-0187
E-mail: [e-mail]    Voice: 216/247-5800    Fax: [phone]

***
"Free-Net" is a servicemark of NPTN registered in the U.S. and Canada.


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I have wanted, for such a long time, to
see a FreeNet started in the Chicago area. If ever there was a need to
be connected, it would be in the Chicago public schools and the
Chicago
Public Library system. Both have extremely urgent needs. I'd like to
be able to install network access for every child and young person
living
in the ghettos here known as the Chicago Housing Authority. What is
stopping me?  Pure and simple, a lack of resources and funding; a lack
of anyone willing to *feed and clothe me and my family* while I work
to bring this medium to the masses of people who need it in our
community.


From: [e-mail] (John W. Barrus)
Subject: Wierd Experience With Payphone
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 08:11:22 -0400
Organization: Mitsubishi Electric Research Labs


When I was in Salt Lake City last month, I tried (at a payphone) to
dial 102880 to use a calling card and when I dialed, I noticed that
the 8's sounded different.  I hung up and tried dialing 12222 or some
similar sequence of numbers and noticed that the phone always gives
out the same sequence of DTMF tones through the earpiece, even when
different numbers are being dialed.  Finally I got an operator and had
her put the call through for me with my calling card number because
none of the normal 800 or 10xxx0 access numbers would work.

Is this typical for payphones now?  I had the same trouble in a hotel
where I could not use my 800 access number and finally dialed direct,
only to find a $1 per minute charge on my hotel bill the next morning.
I couldn't get them to take the charge off.

What should I do in those circumstances? Any suggestions?


John Barrus                                           Research
Scientist

Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.     voice
1.617.621.7535
201 Broadway                                          fax
1.617.621.7550
Cambridge, MA  02139
[e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (USCG TELECOMMS)
Subject: FCC Rulemaking on Wireless E911
Date: 28 Oct 1994 00:32:51 GMT
Organization: Capital Area Internet Service [e-mail]


The FCC, at the request of the State of Texas and others (including
the Coast Guard), has released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on
requiring new wireless services (PCS, AMSC Regional Satellites, big
LEO's etc) to provide similar emergency calling capability as wireline
services.  Although the ability of cellular users to call 911 has been
a big benefit, there are problems which will worsen as more
cellular-type systems become available.  For example, the identity and
location information Enhanced 911 centers receive from wireline calls
are unavailable from cellular.  Worse, you may be unabale to make a
911 call from a satellite provider (calls from portable Inmarsat
terminals work like an overseas call to the U.S ... you simply cannot
call 911).  We are also interested in Caller ID capability ... most
telephone calls to a Coast Guard rescue center go directly to the
center, not through a 911 provider.

Comments to the FCC are due January 9th.  CC Docket 94-102 applies.

We are interested in any comments you have in this matter,
particularly those concerning system limitations from providing Caller
ID and E911 capability, and the use of wireless (including cellular)
for making distress calls from boats.


JoeHersey

               COAST  GUARD  COMMUNICATIONS

     Telephone: [phone]         U.S. Coast Guard (G-TTM)
     Fax:       [phone]         Washington DC 20593
     Internet:      CGComms/[e-mail]

------------------------------
e.Mail: [e-mail]  Telephone: [phone]  Fax: [phone]
Date: Thu, 27 Oct 1994 20:37:55 EST
Organization: Tansin A. Darcos & Company, Silver Spring, MD USA
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Cellular Phone Fraud Operator Arrested


{Washington (DC) Times} 19 Oct 1994 Front Page
High-Tech sleuthing busts cellular phone fraud ring
By Doug Abrahms, The Washington Times

   A Jesse James of the cellular telephone industry was nabbed this
week in California in the latest episode of the high-tech war between
cops and robbers being fought with electronics.

   Secret Service officials in San Jose arrested Clinton Watson and
two other persons on Monday, charging them with a scheme in which they
built counterfeit cellular phones and sent the bills to unsuspecting
owners.

   In a raid on Mr. Watson's house, authorities seized 30 bogus
phones, 16 altered memory chips and about 600 mobile phone
identification numbers used to fool the phone companies' billing
systems, according to the indictment filed in U.S. District Court in
San Jose.

   The phone bandits employed integrated circuits, scanners that pick
up cellular information and sophisticated software to build
counterfeit phones that never received bills.  These "lifetime" phones
sold for $1,200 to $1,500 apiece and have been discovered all over the
continent, said Ron Nessen, vice president of the Cellular
Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA).

   Police and cellular companies have fought back with vans and
helicopters with customized electronics to track illegal cellular
signals.  They also are testing a voiceprinting system that will match
people's unique voice prints with their calling numbers.

   "This is the high tech crime of the 1990s," Mr. Nessen said, who
estimates that phone fraud costs the nation about $1 million a day.
"Every solution we come up with in our labs get attacked by the
hackers."

   In many cases, cellular pirates stand outside parking lots,
tunnels, and airports with scanning equipment that picks up the ID
numbers of cellular users, Mr. Nessen said.  Those ID numbers then can
be programmed into other phone handsets for calls that get charged to
the original customers, he said.

   Mr. Watson went one step further and installed up to a dozen ID
numbers into one handset so the user wouldn't alert authorities that a
barrage of calls was emanating from one phone number, said Michael
Houghton, the CTIA's research director.  Mr. Watson's phones would
allow users to program in new numbers periodically so the phones could
be used indefinitely, he said.

   "If he spreads them around, he can make a phone that doesn't create
a
calling pattern," he said.  "This type of cloning is the next
generation."

   The CTIA estimates Mr. Watson was responsible for hundreds of
thousands of dollars in cellular fraud.  He fases a $50,000 fine and
15 years in jail for each of the three counts against him, Mr. Nessen
said.  Mr. Watson was a computer programmer who created his own
software and had ties to the criminal underground, he said.

   The cellular industry has been fighting phone bandits such as Mr.
Watson, especially after last month's report that New York Mayor
Rudolph Giuliani and Police Commissioner William Bratton each had
their cellular phone numbers stolen six times this year.

   Nynex Mobile Communications in New York assigns personal
identification numbers that must be entered before each call, said Kim
Ancin, a spokeswoman.  Other cellular companies analyze calling
patterns and investigate major changes in users' phone behavior.

   TRW Wireless Communications of Santa Clara developed a system that
records and stores a customer's voice print, which is as unique as a
fingerprint, said Lynn Fisher, a TRW spokeswoman.  On every call, the
company's computer checks the ID number and caller's voice print
against the customer's file and cuts off any call when they don't
match, she said.


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: It must be remembered that in the
United States, our constitution requires that Mr. Watson and his
alleged associates be presumed innocent of the charges lodged against
them until their guilt is proven by the government in a court of law
before a judge and/or jury.   PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #404
******************************