The World of Computer Software/World_Of_Computer_Software-02-387-Vol-3of3.iso/t/tc13-110.zip/TC13-110.TXT

Text File | 1993-02-19 | 19KB | 443 lines

TELECOM Digest     Fri, 19 Feb 93 00:24:30 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 110

Index To This Issue:                      Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Future of North American Numbering Plan (Dave Leibold)
    A "Handy" Risk for AirTravel? (RISKS via Monty Solomon)
    Telecommunications Policies (Mike Seebeck)
    NETSIG / Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing (Skip Addison)
    Unifi Distributed Call Center Information Wanted (Jim Karkanias)
    Press Release - Canadian Marconi FAX-X.400 Switch (Bill St. Arnaud)
    Directory Services Billing (Mark Blumhardt)
    Correction: Ontario Communications Ministry Merged (Nigel Allen)
    Satellite Modem For Sale (Al Wong)
    ISDN Book Wanted (Jim Karkanias)
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Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1993 01:48:24 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Dave Leibold)
Subject: Future of North American Numbering Plan


I have a copy of "North American Numbering Plan Administrator's
Proposal on the Future of Numbering in World Zone 1", 4th January 1993
(second edition).In January 1995, there will be a new
"interchangeable" area code (or NPA - Numbering Plan Area) format,
where area codes are no longer restricted to having 0 or 1 as the
middle digit. This will mean dialing changes throughout most of North
America to reflect the loss of distinction between area codes and
local number central office (exchange) codes.

Some notable items are contained with document sectional references as
appropriate. Not everything is covered here in full detail; this is my
approximate summary of the document - the official version is
available from Bellcore.

Direct Distance Dialing started 10 November 1951 in Englewood NJ (sec.
2.1); there was early use of 11X+ codes for long distance, then
eventually 1+ long distance dialing. 0+ dialing was started in 1960
for operator assistance; 011+ and 01+ for overseas started in 1970.

Bellcore (Bell Communications Research) was assigned the function of
administering the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) (sec. 2.2) in
1984 following the U.S. telephone divestiture.

The NANP is expected to remain a ten-digit plan for the time being
(sec.  3.3.4) that is area code of three digits plus seven-digit local
numbers, and will continue to consist of decimal digits (0-9)
consistent with CCITT recommendation E.164 (23 Aug 1991) (sec. 3.3.5).

Numbers can be classified as "geographic" (the traditional local
numbers, with area codes based on geographical boundaries) and
"non-geographic" (such as the 800 or 900 area codes which apply
throughout the NANP and not necessarily restricted to certain portions
of the NANP) (sec. 3.4.1).  A non-geographic purpose could also
include future systems that assign a single number which can be
forwarded to various places in North America (ie. a "lifetime" number
that allows for moving to various cities)

Section 4 recommends a method of assigning the new area codes:

Geographic codes:      N2X, N3X
Growth/expansion:      N4X - N7X
Non-geographic codes:  N8X, N9X

N represents a digit from 2 to 9, X represents any digit. Thus, area
codes like 223, 734, 520 would be geographic codes under the proposal,
while area codes like 987, 294, 740 would be non-geographic. This
middle digit of the area code is referred to as the "B" digit, thus
the B digit indicates a new geographic or non-geographic code. As the
initial set of geographic or non-geographic codes are used up,
expansion takes place by using the nearest available expansion set.
Thus, N4X codes are next in line for geographic codes expansion, while
N7X codes are next for non-geographic expansion.  Ultimately,
expansion to more digits will be needed in the distant future, and it
is proposed that either the N5X or N6X codes can be used to provide
for "expansion" codes to set up a numbering plan of more than ten
digits.

The Carrier Identification Code (CIC) format of 10XXX+ (to select MCI,
use 10222+ or Sprint 10333+) will be expanded to 101XXXX+ "in the near
future". Nearly all of the 10XXX codes are assigned at this point.

Since some services like Domino's Pizza are setting up 950 numbers
like the long distance carriers (ie. dial 950.1430 to order their
pizza), there is concern about seven digit "national numbers" and that
there isn't enough room to provide these on the current system.
(sec.6.3).

On 31 December 1996 (referred to as "Time T"), there will be an
expansion of the maximum international number length from 12 digits to
15 digits according to CCITT recommendation E.164 (sec. 7.4). There is
a clalim that "at least one country has already expanded its numbering
format to 13 digits and that additional countries outside WZ1 [world
zone 1 ie. NANP] will also be expanding their digit format to exceed
the currently allowable 12 digits".  There was no mention of which
country expanded to the 13 digit format. One carrier in NANP can
apparently handle international numbers up to 14 digits already,
according to a report footnote.

"Overlay" NPA codes (sec. 7.6) are proposed in such cases as
metropolitan areas. This means more than one area code can cover a
geographic area; New York City already uses the 917 area code as an
"overlay" to 212, and eventually more area codes will be needed.

Now, section 7.7 states: "It is recommended that the North American
telecommunications sector resolve to evolve to ten-digit dialing for
station-to-station (network based) calls, *including local*" (my
emphasis).  The idea is to start in the metropolitan areas using
"overlay" NPA codes like New York and perhaps other areas soon. This
section also proposes that 1+ be eliminated as a long distance access
prefix; in other words, any call in North America would consist of ten
digits, whether local, long distance, or to a 900 service, or
whatever.

Section 9 of the report deals with the formation of steering
committees for the NANP, with a proposal for the World Zone 1
Numbering Steering Committee (WNSC) with representation from Canada,
U.S., and Caribbean groups.

Section 10 is the Action Plan; there will be a Future of Numbering
Forum (FNF) meeting 16-18 March 1993 in the Washington DC area. Those
contributions to this forum received by Bellcore by 8 March 1993 will
be forwarded to participants in the forum.

For the complete document, or for more information, contact: NANP
Administration, Bellcore - Room 1B225, 290 West Mt Pleasant Ave,
Livingston NJ USA 07039 Tel: [phone] or fax: [phone].


Dave Leibold - via FidoNet node 1:250/98
INTERNET: [e-mail]

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

Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1993 23:16:48 -0500
From: Monty Solomon <[e-mail]>
Subject: A "Handy" Risk for AirTravel?


Excerpt from RISKS DIGEST 14.33

 Date:  Sat, 6 Feb 1993 15:42:07 +0100
 From: [e-mail]
 Subject: A "Handy" Risk for AirTravel?

German newspapers report broadly on risks of hand-held telephones used
in flight. Following a report of a new German weekly magazine FOCUS
(some sort of Anti-Spiegel published since mid-January 1993, with some
remarkably well-investigated articles on IT InSecurities), Germany's
federal airtransport authority (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt, LBA in
Braunschweig) admitted that major problems with passengers telephoning
with "handy" mobile hend-held telephones have recently been
experienced in some German airplanes.

Newspapers report that hand-held telephones have influenced flight
instruments (e.g. indicating velocity) even in landing approach. An
LBA manager responsible for analysis of flight systems' security
mentioned a B737 approaching Hamburg airport under IFR conditions when
slope indicator suddenly began to jump; the pilot interrupted descent
and made another (successful) approach. In som. The LBA manager was
quoted to say that if velocity indicators be adversely affected by
some influence of such a "handy" telephone, the pilot may be tempted
to diminish the velocity below the critical value, with catastrophic
influence on the plane.

When contacted by me, this LBA manager refused some overdrawn
citations but admitted that LBA sees serious problems and had warned
carriers several times.  Meanwhile, passenger instruction concerning
emergency exits etc now also mentions risk of hand-held telephones
which (according to some old German law) are not allowed to use
in-flight. According to him, wires in planes are traditionally
"hardened" against some electromagnetic induction; but the order of
magnitude of such protection (about 3 Volt/meter) is, according to
recent measurements of MBB (part of German Airbus, DASA) significantly
lower than the 30 Volt/m which some hand-helds induce. Signal
induction may even be worse as effects of reflections and resonances
(which may develop in edges and channels below the cabin) may well
enlarge the effect in a way hardly to measure.

In public debates, such new facts add to the criticism that some
overly computerized systems (e.g. Electronic Flight Management
Systems, Fly-by-Wire) may enlarge in-flight risks. But at least one
more advanced technology may reduce the risk of electromagnetic
radiation: German Airbus is preparing to replace one (of 3) wires for
some part of A340 communication (at least experimentally) by
Fly-by-Light connection; in such a system, risk will remain with
opticouplers between electromagnetic and optic parts as well as with
traditional non-optical computers but the lines near the passengers
parts will become immune against electromagnetic effects.


Klaus Brunnstein (Univ Hamburg, February 6,1993)

PS: this year, some of you may have missed my traditional report from
Chaos Conference. Luckily, I was unable to participate, because
several participants independently informed me that NOTHING worthwhile
to report happened.  Participation was said to be significantly lower
than ever before, and even some journalists which are CCC's good
friends did not report this year.  Moreover, due to very chaotic
organisation, CCCs usual electronic articles were not available for
FTP. "Downsizing" CCC seems to be in interesting contrast to US
hackers (2600) which become more active, as visible from the Pentagon
raids.


[TELECOM Moderator's Note: I don't think he meant 'Pentagon raids'. I
think he meant the Justice Department/FBI activities.  PAT]

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

From: [e-mail] (Mike Seebeck)
Subject: Telecommunications Policies
Organization: University of Colorado, Boulder
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1993 00:13:28 GMT


    I am working on telecomm policies for a corporation.  We are
looking at all aspects of telephone and data transmission.  Subjects
of interest are long distance service, cellular use, data links,
executive suites, etc.

    Are there any reference materials or resources available that
I can be directed to?


Thanks in advance,


Michael Seebeck   Sr.Telecomm Consultant
RMH Group, Lakewood, CO,USA
main(303)239-0909      direct 239-2761

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

From: [e-mail] (Skip Addison)
Subject: NETSIG / Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing
Organization: Novell, Inc.
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 1993 01:24:12 GMT


               Software Entrepreneurs' Forum
             Networking Special Interest Group
                         *presents*
        Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing
                           Panel
            including RAM Mobile Data and others
                          7:00 pm
          Tuesday, February 23rd, Novell/Sunnyvale


Need "Information At Your Fingertips" be restricted either to an
office or whereever a phone line can be accessed?  NETSIG will host a
panel of experts such as Kurt Christofferson, a Product Manager at RAM
Mobile Data and a NETSIG participant.  He and others from industry
players such as GO and RadioMail will tell us where wireless
communication is headed and how to take advantage of this burgeoning
industry is headed.

Admission is free for SEF members; $10.00 for non-members.  For more
information, contact Skip Addison (408.283.3545).  The Novell facility
is located at 890 Ross Drive in Sunnyvale, where 101, 237 and Mathilda
Avenue converge.  Come around to the "Sales Seminar Entrance" at the
back of the building.

SEF is a non-profit trade association of people involved in the
creation, publishing and support of innovative commercial software.
For more information about SEF call Barbara or Ellen at 415-854-7219
(and tell 'em Skip sent you ;-).  NETSIG normally meets the fourth
Tuesday of each month at the Novell Sunnyvale facility.

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

From: [e-mail] (Jim Karkanias)
Subject: Unifi Distributed Call Center Information Wanted
Organization: Merck Research Laboratories
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 93 01:21:19 GMT


I'm interested in any opinions regarding the Unifi Distributed Call
Center.  It's a software solution to providing automatic call
distribution (ACD) by exploiting the processing and other advanced
capabilities inherent in ISDN.  Anyone care to share any info or
experience regarding such devices?  Any info. would be grand.  Thanks.

What's the rated bandwidth/data capacity of ISDN?  Thanks.


Jim

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

From: [e-mail] (Bill St. Arnaud)
Subject: Press Release - Canadian Marconi FAX-X.400 Switch
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 93 11:33:56 EST


CANADIAN MARCONI WINS FAX-X.400 CONTRACT IN DENMARK

Canadian Marconi, a member of the VISION 2000 Consortium, has won a
major contract to supply its FAX-X.400 Enhanced Facsimile Switching
equipment to Fyns Telefon, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tele Danmark
A/S, the national telecommunications agency of the government of
Denmark.

The contract represents Canadian Marconi's second major sale of its
FAX-X.400 system to a major European public carrier company.  British
Telecom was Canadian Marconi's first customer in Europe for this
equipment.  This new contract secures Canadian Marconi's position as a
leading supplier of value added services in Europe.  According to
Bryan Locker, Marketing and FAX Group Manager at Canadian Marconi:
"Our goal now is to extend this success throughout continental and
northern Europe."

Canadian Marconi's FAX-X.400 Enhanced Facsimile Switching Equipment
uses an X.200 OSI layered architecture incorporating X.400 message
handling and switching for national and international routing of FAX
messages.

Canadian Marconi is a world leader in the innovative design and
quality production of facsimile, communications, avionics, radar and
navigation systems.  Canadian Marconi is also an active participant in
the VISION 2000 consortium.  The VISION 2000 consortium is a
Communications Canada and industry initiative to accelerate and foster
the development of personal communications in Canada through the use
and deployment of new developments in FUTURE FAX technology.

For more information please contact:

Bill St. Arnaud          Tony Oliver
VISION 2000         Canadian Marconi Company
V: +1 613.567.2000     V: +1 613.592.6500
F:  +1 613.567.4730      F: +1 613.592.7427

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

Bill St. Arnaud       Internet: [e-mail]
VISION 2000 INC.         X.400: C=CA; A=TELECOM.CANADA;
203-294 Albert St.         O=VISION2000; DDA:ID=V2K.EMS
Ottawa CANADA                    Voice: [phone]
K1P 6E6                          Fax:   [phone]

VISION 2000 INC:  A Department of Communications and industry initiative to
foster and accelerate the development of personal communications in Canada.

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

From: [e-mail] (Mark Blumhardt)
Subject: Directory Services Billing
Organization: U S WEST Advanced Technologies
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1993 19:36:45 GMT


Just a quick question.  When you use directory assistance (1+411),
where is billing initiated?  The end office where the 411 call was
made, or the directory assistance center, or ...?  Are AMA records
generated?


Thanks in advance.

Mark Blumhardt


[Moderator's Note: It is billed by your CO, based on the charge for
the service made by your one-plus carrier (if an inter-lata call) or
the local telco (in the case of 411). Yes, call records are kept. When
I have had occassion to examine the detailed billing records for my
phone lines, '411' and '0' have been listed in the amongst the other
calls.   PAT]

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

From: Nigel Allen <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 16 Feb 1993 19:00:00 -0500
Subject: Correction: Ontario Communications Ministry Merged
Organization: Echo Beach, Toronto


Earlier this month I reported that Ontario's Ministry of Culture and
Communications had been merged with the Ministry of Tourism and
Recreation.


The Communications Division of the former Ministry of Culture and
Communications, I have since learned, is *not* part of the new
Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation. It is now part of the new
Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. According to mail I
received from someone at the Communications Division, the address is
expected to remain the same for the forseeable future.


Nigel Allen          [e-mail]
52 Manchester Avenue       Voice: [phone]
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6G 1V3
Canada Remote Systems - Toronto, Ontario
416-629-7000/629-7044

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

From: [e-mail] (Al Wong)
Date: Thu, 18 Feb 93 08:12:22 PST
Subject: Satellite Modem For Sale


I have a SM-200A Satellite Modem made by Fairchild for sale.  The
modem appears to be new as it is still in the original bubble wrap
packaging.  THe modem works in the 52-88 Mhz range.  I would be happy
to mail/fax the spec sheets to anyone who is interested.  Please
respond directly to me as I am not subscribed to this list.  The modem
sells new for at least $10K but I am willing to sell it at a gross
discount.


Thanks,

Al Wong   [e-mail]

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

From: [e-mail] (Jim Karkanias)
Subject: ISDN Book Wanted
Organization: Merck Research Laboratories
Date: Fri, 19 Feb 93 01:27:34 GMT


Anyone care to recommend a good book on ISDN?

Thanks,

Jim


[Moderator's Note: Why yes, as a matter of fact, telecom reader Fred
Goldstein has written the very book you are seeking. I reviewed it
here awhile back, perhaps Fred will write you with details, and send a
cc: to the Digest so we can plug his book again to new readers who
did not see the earlier review.    PAT]

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End of TELECOM Digest V13 #110
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