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- Subject: TELECOM Digest Guide to Special Prefixes/Numbers
- Message-ID: <14935@accuvax.nwu.edu>
- Date: 24 Nov 90 22:00:00 GMT
- Sender: news@accuvax.nwu.edu
- Organization: TELECOM Digest
- X-Telecom-Digest: Special Issue: Guide to Special Prefixes/Numbers
-
-
- TELECOM Digest Sat, 24 Nov 90 16:00:00 CST Guide to Special Prefixes
-
- Inside This Issue: Moderator: Patrick A. Townson
-
- TELECOM Digest Guide to Special Prefixes/Numbers [David Leibold]
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- From: woody <contact!djcl@uunet.uu.net>
- Subject: TELECOM Digest Guide to Special Prefixes/Numbers
- Date: Sat, 24 Nov 90 00:28:08 EST
-
-
- TELECOM Digest Guide to Special Prefixes/Numbers
- ------------------------------------------------
-
- 1st edition 20 November 1990
-
- This is a summary of various numbers and exchanges that are a
- departure from the garden-variety residential or business phone
- prefixes/numbers.
-
- Basically, the following types of numbers/NXX prefixes are described:
-
- * Announcement/ESP: These are special prefixes containing recorded pay
- announcements or conference lines. 976 is the most familiar of the
- prefixes. Charges may vary according to the specific number dialed,
- or there may be NPAs that charge a set rate for any 976 or special
- prefix number.
-
- * ANI: When ANI numbers are dialed, a synthesised voice speaks out the
- telephone number calling them.
-
- * Ringback: when dialed, a ringback number will often get a dial tone
- than cannot be "broken" by dialing. A few tests may then be
- available, although this can vary from place to place:
-
- - dialing test may be done by dialing in 1234567890; when the
- sequence is complete, the tone may briefly change (or two
- short, different tones may be heard) to indicate that the
- dialing was received correctly.
-
- - ringback may be triggered by dialing a '6' into the dial
- tone then hanging up; after a short time, the ringback will
- ring the phone and a tone is provided when answered.
-
- - sometimes, ringback is done by flashing switch-hook upon
- the unbreakable dial tone; a different tone is then heard;
- the phone is then placed on-hook, then the ringback should
- occur shortly.
-
- Note that there may be some difficulty in clearing away the ringback
- condition. When finished the testing, place the phone back on hook
- for about 15 seconds to allow things to clear. The process may have
- to be repeated, by taking the phone off-hook, then leaving it back
- on-hook for several seconds.
-
-
- In General ---
-
- 844 used to be reserved for time announcement purposes. However, it
- seems that 844 is more likely to be a regular service exchange these
- days. Another exchange (936?) used to be reserved for weather years
- ago as well.
-
- 958 prefix will generally be reserved for tests, although it has been
- known to be used as a regular prefix. In 809, it would represent a
- normal Montego Bay, Jamaica number. In at least one area, pagers are
- on the 958 prefix.
-
- 959 and 970 are other common test prefixes.
-
- 976 is reserved for toll announcement services (though it's possible
- that there could be regular phone numbers assigned to 976 in some
- NPAs).
-
- Often, there may be special or test exchanges in the 55x, 57x, 95x,
- 97x or 99x series of prefixes, though this obviously varies according
- to the telco and region involved.
-
- 200 is another frequently occurring code for tests, as in 1 200 xxx
- xxxx or 1 200 xxxx or simply 200 xxxx. Again, this will depend on the
- jurisdiction involved.
-
- This listing is not as organised as it probably should have been; it
- was left as raw data mainly due to time crunch on my end. If anyone's
- message was missed, it could be because of net mail problems; mail
- jams can happen from time to time. Please re-send any info you have if
- you don't see it here, or haven't heard any acknowledgement.
-
- Contributions and corrections are welcome at [dleibold@vm1.yorku.ca]
- Thanks go to those who contributed; their names appear with their
- respective contributions.
-
-
- ================
-
- Date: Tue, 23 Oct 1990 04:18:00 EDT
- From: Andy Jacobson <IZZYAS1@uclamvs.bitnet>
- Subject: Test lines, ANI and ringback for GTE part of 213
-
-
- GTE Bay Division Access Codes.
-
- (West L.A./ Santa Monica Ca. 213 area) Note: I dont know what ACO
- stands for.
-
- CLLI Prefix Switch type ACO
- BELRCAXF 471 GTD-5 790
- 472
- 476
- WLANCAXH 820 EAX2 717
- 207
- 442
- 826
- WLANCAXH 828 GTD-5 719
- 829
- 453
- 315
- PDRYCAXF 827 1ESS 793
- 301
- 305
- 306
- 578
- PDRYCAXF 821 1EAX 793
- 822
- 823
- CLCYCAXG 313 GTD-5 748
- 390
- 391
- 397
- 398
- PCPLCAXF 454 GTD-5 762
- 459
- SNMNCAXG 319 1ESS 778
- 383
- 394
- 395
- 451
- 458
- SNMNCAXJ 450 DMS100 727
- 452
- 392
- 396
- 399
- 314
- TPNFCAXF 455 GTD-5 786
- WLANCAXJ 208 1ESS 789
- 209
- 824
- 825
- 443
- 794
- WLANCAXF 270 GTD-5 790
- 312
- 444
- 473
- 477
- 479
- 441
- 478
- 445
- WLANCAXG 279 2EAX 792
- 446
- 470
- 474
- 475
-
- SWITCH ANI RINGBACK
- 2EAX 114 dial your 7 dig.#, get clicking, hangup
- 1ESS 1223 195 + last 5 digits,flash once, hangup
- GTD-5 114 dial your 7 dig.#, get tone, hangup
- DMS100 114 113 + your 7 digits,flash once, hangup
- 5ESS 1223 117 + last 4 digits, flash once, hangup
-
- Other test lines:
-
- 600OHM 1007Hz tone: Prefix + 0002
- 900OHM silent termination: Prefix + 9297
- Reverse Battery: 213-478-1478
-
- VRS Test system Access:
-
- ACO's 717,793,727, use 800-325-1647
- ACO's 719,762,786,778, use 800-423-7526
- ACO's 706,789,790,748, use 800-222-6978
-
- ===============
-
- Date: Mon, 22 Oct 90 22:11:50 EDT
- From: convex!kf5iw!jim@uunet.uucp (Jim Blocker)
- Subject: Re: Special Exchanges List: Request For Data
-
-
- Test numbers in Carrollton, Texas (GTE) for 214-306:
-
- ANI: 970
- 1 khz (102 test set?) test tone: 958-1020
-
-
- Test numbers in Dallas, Texas (Southwestern Bell) for 214-996:
-
- ANI: 970-2222222
-
- Jim Blocker KF5IW
- jim%kf5iw@rwsys.lonestar.org
-
- ===========
-
- Date: Thu, 18 Oct 1990 23:07:00 EDT
- From: gordon@sneaky.lonestar.org (Gordon Burditt)
- Subject: Re: Special Exchanges List: Request For Data
-
-
- Area code 817, Fort Worth, Texas (info from the July 1990-91 phone book):
-
- 976- The usual bunch of slime
-
- 703- Special Information Delivery Services that don't qualify for 976
- Blocked by default - you must request access
- Not billed through SWBT
- "adult" and "live" (non-recorded) programs
-
- I've never seen a 703 number advertised, nor am I inclined to call
- one. This is an EXCHANGE, not an area code.
-
- 1-411 (Local) / 1-817-555-1212 (Toll) Directory Assistance
-
- 334-2015 Operation Sun Devil (Secret Service)
-
- 496-2900 Free audiotext service with 10-page list of 4-digit codes for
- news, market reports, sports, 900 number index, entertainment,
- law, health, finance listed in the local yellow pages phone book.
- Instructions available if you don't have a phone book.
- "SelectTALK", programs provided by Southern Audiotext, Inc.
- Presumably, if you call this from outside 817, you pay LD charges.
- Based on a small sample of calls, many of the recordings have
- sponsors, and end with "If you wish to call this business, press
- * now". A law firm sponsors "What To Do If Arrested", and
- an insurance company sponsors horoscopes.
-
-
- Gordon L. Burditt
- sneaky.lonestar.org!gordon
-
- ============
-
- Date: Fri, 12 Oct 1990 10:00:22 EDT
- From: uunet!wang!elf.wang.com!office.wang.com!david.bonney@uunet.uucp
- Subject: More: ESP Exchanges
- Senders Name: David A. Bonney
-
- woody:-
-
- You commented that "976 is the only NXX that is common to all
- NPA's" ... My memory (?) recalls that there was [at least] one NPA
- where 976 was NOT an ESP Exchange - It was actually a valid POTS
- exchange.
-
- But I can't find my old notes on the subject. (Michigan/Wisconsin/?)
-
- To add to your info, 'other' ESP exchanges: [unaudited]
-
- Idaho (208) : 430/499/976
- Pacific Bell : 976 Adult: 960
- New York Tel : 540/976 GAB: 550 Adult: 970
- C&P Maryland (301) : 915
- Mass (413/508/617) : 976 GAB: 550 Adult: 940
-
- On a slightly different subject, there exist what I refer to as
- 'hidden' or LATA-Only exchanges. Examples would be some of the Time
- and Temperature services run by the LEC (i.e. The Idaho Time line
- 208-844-TIME) or special exchanges established by the LEC's for their
- Customer Service applications (i.e. Georgia [404] 780 exchange). Is
- any further information available ??
-
- Anyway ... That's it for now...
-
- Regards,
-
- dab
-
- ==========
-
- now ... from djcl@contact.uucp's viewpoint:
-
- I guess I'll throw in what I know about ESP/ANI/special exchanges, at
- least from a Canadian perspective. If an NXX is not in regular
- service, it could very well be a test exchange.
-
- ESP/announcement-type exchanges ----
-
- 976 exchange, toll message services, are generally available only
- within Bell Canada's territory as far as I've heard. That is, Ontario
- and Quebec area codes.
-
- In British Columbia (NPA 604) 720 exchange is used for "Partyline", a
- GAB (conference) service. 720.TALK is used for adult discussion, while
- 720.TEEN is self-explanatory.
-
- Pennsylvania (at least NPAs 215 and 412):
-
- 976 for general pay announcements; these are available to telco
- customers by default unless requested to have this blocked
-
- 556 for restricted or adult pay announcements; these are blocked
- to telco customers unless access is specifically requested
-
- Chicago area (312/708):
-
- 976 is the announcement service as one may expect, but
-
- 796 is used for Customer Name/Address service, and seems
- to be treated as a special exchange there
-
- [Moderator's Note: Actually, there is only one 796 number: 796-9600.
- Dial seven digits within 312/708 and some of 815. Elsewhere dial it as
- 312-796-9600. Locally, the charge is 35 cents plus unit charges. From
- long distance, normal tolls apply. Some other 796 numbers may in fact
- funnel into CNA, but '9600' is the official, authorized in-dial. PAT]
-
- ANI Numbers ----
-
- In NPA 416, 997 is the ANI prefix. Numbers of the form 997.xxxx (like
- 997.1699, 997.2350 and 997.8123) yield the calling number.
-
- In NPA 519 and 613, 320 is the ANI prefix (ie. use a 320.xxxx number).
-
- In Edmonton, just dialing 999 from some phones will get ANI.
-
- New York City (NPA 212/718): 958 should give ANI
-
- Ringbacks ----
-
- In Bell Canada (Ontario/Quebec) territory, ringbacks may exist in:
-
- 1) 57 + last 5 digits of calling number
- 2) 99 + last 5 digits of calling number
- 3) 999 + 7 digits of calling number
-
- In some places, none of the three methods will work, or the Ringback
- uses a different access.
-
- NPA 902 (Hailfax, NS): try 575 + 7 digits of calling number for Ringback
-
- NPA 604 (Vancouver, BC): 871 is a likely candidate, as 871 + 7 digits
- is expected in some Vancouver locations. Again, this could vary by
- central office.
-
- Other ---
-
- NPA 306: Last year, trying 990.1111 in Regina used to get something
- really interesting ... whistling a happy tune.
-
- 828 prefix is for toll-free services within Saskatchewan
-
- NPA 403: The following NXXs may be used for testing, depending on locality:
- 299, 490, 557, 570, 951, 970, 980, 991, 999
- 880 - reserved for data services
-
- In NPA 416, 970 has various interesting uses:
-
- Dialing 1 416 970 5xxx gets an identification of the toll switch.
-
- 1 416 970 6xxx/7xxx gets 1+coin or 0+domestic announcements,
- whatever these might mean.
-
- 1 416 970 9xxx gets an Inwats (800 service) test recording,
- listing all the prefixes used in Ontario for 800 service.
-
- NPA 416, 996 is used for various tests (dial 996.xxxx).
-
- NPA 416: choke exchanges (for high-volume local calling) are 870 and 872
-
- NPA 604: 280 is apparently a choke exchange (info courtesy Dan Fandrich)
-
- NPA 604: 200 and 201 are strange prefixes; they appear to be functioning
- but change to NXX prefixes from NNX is not official in British
- Columbia. These may be dialed within BC on a timed-out basis
- (ie. dial 1-200/201-xxxx and wait, or finish dialing number
- with a '#' tone) (some extra insight on this also courtesy
- Dan Fandrich).
-
-
- [Addendum by TELECOM Moderator: Ring back in most of the Cicacago
- area (312/708/parts of 815) is accomplished as follows:
-
- Dial 1-57x-last four of your number.
-
- The 'x' is 1 through 7, depending on CO. Try until you find the
- one that applies in your case. For example, mine is 1-574-xxxx.
-
- If you got the correct 'x' and the correct last four digits, dial tone
- will be returned. Otherwise, you will get a busy signal.
-
- Against this dial tone you may then:
-
- Dial 1234567890 and if your tone pad is correctly calibrated
- you will hear a double spurt of tone. Hang up to disconnect.
-
- Flash the hook to change the tone. Dial 6 at this point and
- hang up. Your phone will ring back repeatedly for up to five
- minutes, then disconnect itself if you have not already done so.
-
- To stop the ringing, lift the receiver for a few seconds and
- hang up again.
-
- ANI in the Chicago area seems to be 1-200-xxxx, with the last four
- changing on a frequent basis. They are always kept secret by IBT.
-
- My thanks to Woody (David Leibold) for compiling this survey for our
- readers. PAT]
-
-
- ------------------------------
-
- End of TELECOM Digest Guide to Special Prefixes/Numbers
- ******************************
-