The World of Computer Software/World_Of_Computer_Software-02-387-Vol-3of3.iso/t/tc13-128.zip/TC13-128.TXT

Text File | 1993-02-24 | 19KB | 468 lines

TELECOM Digest     Wed, 24 Feb 93 01:51:20 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 128

Index To This Issue:                      Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

    Computer Makers Told To Get Involved in Rules (NY Times via Eric De Mund)
    Cellular Technology Questions (Greg Boop)
    Austel's Privacy Report (Arthur Marsh)
    NYTel is Introducing CIRCUIT 9(sm) Service (Dave Niebuhr)
    Full Cutover Putting the Bronx in Area Code 718 Nears (Dave Niebuhr)
    1-800 Phone Book or Database? (James Dahan)
    "Murder By Phone" is Back! (John Boteler)
    Congress Orders FCC to Study Security For Cellphones (John Nagle)
    Wrong Rate Tables (was Illegal Billing Practices) (Jeffrey Jonas)
    PacBell in Orange County (Randy Gellens)
    Long Distance: The Next Best Thing to Praying There (Paul Robinson)
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Date: Tue, 23 Feb 93 20:28:13 -0800
From: Eric De Mund <[e-mail]>
Subject: Computer Makers Told To Get Involved in Rules
Reply-To: Eric De Mund <[e-mail]>
Organization: Netcom Online Communications Services


[NYT, Tuesday, February 23, 1993]

             Computer Makers Told To Get Involved in Rules
                             By STEVE LOHR

                     Special to The New York Times

  PHOENIX, Feb. 22 -- The chairman of the House subcommittee on
telecommunications warned today that the computer industry was in
danger of losing out in the emerging but potentially enormous business
of providing computer services to American homes and offices unless it
became involved in the Federal standard-setting that will occur this
year.

  The panel's chairman, Representative Edward J. Markey, Democrat of
Massachusetts, told a gathering of computer executives here that under
the Clinton Administration, with its penchant for technology policy,
crucial steps will be taken this year in setting the nation on the
path toward establishing a so-called data superhighway that will
eventually reach every home in the country.

  At issue, Representative Markey said, is the possibility that the
early ground rules would be written to the advantage of companies that
send wires into homes, like telephone companies -- a situation that
would squeeze the role and profits of service providers, like computer
software companies.

                          Tailoring the Rules

  "Decisions will be made this year that will affect the rest of your
lives," Mr. Markey said. "And unless you participate, the rules will
be cut in a way that may not be to your advantage."

  The regulated telephone industry is a seasoned practitioner of
shaping government rules, but most computer and software companies are
entrepreneurial upstarts that have grown and thrived outside the reach
of regulatory controls. Traditionally, the industry rarely dealt with
Washington.

  But that attitude is beginning to change with the merger of computer
and telecommunications technology, and the prospect of high-speed
computer networks bringing video conferences, books, movies, factory
blueprints or medical advice into homes and offices. Estimates of the
size of the potential market for these computer-generated services go
as high as $2 trillion over the next decade.

  The speed at which that business develops and what companies will
get the benefits hinge on Federal and state regulations. Some in the
computer industry say the vital first step is to insure that digital
phone service is available nationally at affordable rates. The main
digital format available is called the Integrated Services Digital
Network, or I.S.D.N.; it transforms information into the ones and
zeros of computer code. The network makes it possible to send voice,
video images and computer data simultaneously at high speeds on
ordinary phone lines.

  The digital network is a middle ground between the current
technology and the super-speed fully fiber-optic network that is often
discussed.  But the fiber-optics data highway, by most estimates,
would not reach most households until after 2010 and at a cost of
hundreds of billions of dollars.

  By contrast, the digital network could reach every office and house
in America in less than five years, estimates Mitchell Kapor,
president of the Electronic Frontier Foundation. A few phone
companies, led by the Bell Atlantic Corporation, are already
installing digital networks, but the effort varies by company.

  A computer pioneer turned advocate, Mr. Kapor is pushing Federal and
state regulators to insure that the digital network is available,
standardized and affordable nationally.

  "What we need is an open platform that is going to serve as the
basis for innovation," Mr. Kapor said in an interview here. "And it is
not clear that telephone or cable companies would do that on their
own."

                    Efforts by Lawmaker

  Representative Markey is preparing Federal legislation to push the
digital format later this year. "I.S.D.N. is something that can be
done now," he said, "and it will help unleash the next wave of
computer and software innovation, creating jobs and wealth."

  He added that policy to push the digital format looked more
attractive because budget constraints would reduce the role the
Government could play in financing the more ambitious fiber-optics
network.

  "The Government should set standards for openness and fund pilot
projects, but it isn't going to pay for the information highway,"
Representative Markey said. "The money just won't be there."

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

Date: Tue, 23 Feb 93 10:02:14 -0500
From: aurs01!aurxcf![e-mail] (Greg Boop)
Subject: Re: Cellular Technology Questions


> I really need some information on cellular phones - how they work,
> advantages, disadvantages, etc ...

I am also interested in receiving some information regarding the
operation of cellular phones in the AMPS network.  I am particularly
interested in call set and termination over the air in regards to
procedures or tones that are used. Any pointers regarding which TIA
(or other any other association) documents cover cellular technology
and where these documents can be obtained will help me out.

Our incoming mail system is not always in good order, so please be try
to follow up with me if mail bounces.

I regularly read the telecom newsgroup; so if any material regarding
cellular technology (that contains interest to all) is posted, I will
receive it.


Thank You and Best Regards,

Greg Boop, Alcatel Network Systems, Raleigh, N.C.
phone # [phone]    fax   # [phone]

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

Date: 23 Feb 1993 04:33:06 +1000
From: [e-mail] (Arthur Marsh)
Subject: Austel's Privacy Report
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: Camelot Swamp bulletin board, Hawthorndene Sth Australia


I have rough ASCII text version (that still includes some 8 bit
characters) of the Australian Telecommunications Authority (Austel)
December 1992 report "Telecommunications Privacy" available for
download or Fidonet file request from my bulletin board (3:800/812 in
Fidonet, ph [phone] V.22 - V.32bis with MNP 4) as AUSTPRIV.ARJ
94352 bytes.

It covers privacy issues of Caller-ID, reverse directories, telemarket-
ing and the like, but is lacking in its use of exact terminology.

If I can get a better quality ASCII text copy I'll pass it on to David
Leibold who may be in a better position than me to submit it for
inclusion in the Telecom Archives.


Arthur
Origin: Camelot Swamp MJCNA, Hawthorndene, Sth Australia (8:7000/8)
Camelot Swamp bbs, data: [phone] reply to [e-mail]

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

Date: Tue, 23 Feb 93 08:16:33 EST
From: [e-mail] (Dave Niebuhr)
Subject: NYTel is Introducing CIRCUIT 9(sm) Service


NYTel is in the process of introducing CIRCUIT 9(sm) for businesses
and has sent out a flier in the monthly bills describing this feature
and how it might affect residential customers.

First of all, this feature is based on area codes 800 and 900 with
three exchanges: 910 in area codes 212 and 718, 920 elsewhere in the
state for area code 800 and exchange 880 in the 900 area code.


The flier states, and I'm going to summarize as much as possible,
"Among other features, CIRCUIT 9(sm) allows business subscribers to
identify a caller's "billing" telephone number, even if the number is
not published in the telephone directory."  (Nothing new here - dwn)

Charging: calls to 800-910/920 are free while there is a charge
to 900-880.  (again, nothing surprising so far.  - dwn)

The meat of the article:

"There are important limitations on the ways in which businesses that
obtain your number through CIRCUIT 9 Service may use this information.
For example, they may use your number to route or screen calls, or to
obtain billing information about your account with them.

"However, subject to certain exceptions, businesses that obtain your
phone number through CIRCUIT 9 Service may not use your number to
establish telemarketing lists or to conduct outgoing telemarketing
calls without your consent."  (This is interesting - dwn)

NYTel will offer blocking to these exchanges; the kicker here is that
calls to exchanges 394, 540, 550 970, 976 and area codes 700 and 900
will also be blocked.


Dave Niebuhr      Internet: [e-mail] / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093

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

Date: Tue, 23 Feb 93 08:33:03 EST
From: [e-mail] (Dave Niebuhr)
Subject: Full Cutover Putting the Bronx in Area Code 718 Nears


NYTel has announced that full cutover to area code 718 in the Bronx is
getting closer to full implementation.

 From the monthly flier:

"*From now through May 15, 1993, we're helping customers to learn the
dialing changes by having an adjustment period.*

1) Calls from outside the 718 area code to the Bronx will be completed
   whether the caller dials 212 or 718.

2) Calls from the 718 area code -- Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island
   to the Bronx will be completed whether the caller dials 1 + 212 or
   just the seven-digit telephone number.

3) Bronx customers have no dialing changes yet, except when dialing
   Manhattan, where they may dial 1 + 212 + seven digits or just the
   seven-digit telephone number."

"*On May 15, 1993, the adjustment period ends and the dialing changes
become permanent.*

1) Calls from outside the 718 area code to the Bronx *must* be dialed
   as 1 +718 + seven digits.

2) Calls from the 718 area code -- Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island
   to the Bronx *must* be dialed using seven digits only.

3) Bronx customers calling Manhattan *must* dial 1 + 212 + seven digits
   or they may reach a wrong number.

4) Bronx customers calling Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island can and
   should dial seven digits; however, dialing 1 + 718 + seven digits
   will complete the call.  On September 25, 1993, Bronx customers
   *must* dial seven digits only."

Anything enclosed in *'s is NYTel's emphasis, not mine.


Dave Niebuhr      Internet: [e-mail] / Bitnet: niebuhr@bnl
Brookhaven National Laboratory Upton, NY 11973  (516)-282-3093

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

From: [e-mail] (James DAHAN)
Subject: 1-800 Phone Book or Database?
Organization: SOCS - Mcgill University, Montreal, Canada
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1993 16:16:55 GMT


I am looking for any 1-800 phone directories, books or databases.  If
they exist do these directories list the numbers by city, state or
entire country: USA?.


[Moderator's Note: Ask AT&T. They publish several 800 directories. The
two largest are the 'Business Directory' and the 'Comsumer Directory'.
They also have some very specialized 800 directories now. And of
course the big 800 database is 800-555-1212 operated by Southwestern
Bell under contract to AT&T and other carriers offering 800 service.  PAT]

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

From: John Boteler <[e-mail]>
Subject: "Murder By Phone" is Back!
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1993 12:22:05 -0500 (EST)


Warner has re-issued several genre titles including "Murder By Phone",
also known as Bells.

This is a must-have for any good phone phreak. Don't let your library
go without any longer.

BTW, if you locate this little gem, let us know where so that we can
begin the hunt in the proper place. Also, if you see it on LaserDisc,
that would by great to know, also.


[e-mail] (John Boteler)

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

From: [e-mail] (John Nagle)
Subject: Congress Orders FCC to Study Security For Cellphones
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)
Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1993 17:33:45 GMT


When congress ordered the FCC to deny type-approval to "scanning
receivers" that can receive cellular phone frequencies, they also
ordered a study.  The law reads:

        "The commission shall report to congress no later than June 1,
1993, on available security features for both analog and digital radio
signals.  This report shall include a study of security technologies
already available as well as those in development.  The study shall
assess the capabilities of such technologies, level of security
afforded, and clost, with wide-spread deployment of such technologies"
(P.L. 102-556 Sec. 403 (b)).

        This is the chance to lobby for fully encrypted cellular
telephony.


John Nagle

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

Date: Tue, 23 Feb 93 18:42:01 EST
From: [e-mail] (Jeffrey Jonas)
Subject: Wrong Rate Tables (was Illegal Billing Practices)


In Telecom-Digest: Volume 13, Issue 113, Message 3 of 3
Dave Niebuhr posted that:

> In each case, I get a correction on each succeeding month's bill
> which is usually $.10 to $.20US.

Is this only when you call and complain, or automatic?  It should be
automatic, just as my gas and electric bills often contain small
rebates as 'adjustments'.

To make these rate adjustments, wouldn't the phone company have to
retain detailed calling records -- the same detailed ones that people
have been asking to get to proves phone calls were made (such as a
recent TELECOM request regarding a stock broker?)  It would have to
remain in machine readable form if billing corrections were mandated
(by admission of error, FCC ruling or court order) and such refunds
could be based on calls made years ago, particularly for court
rulings.

If my guess is correct, then calling details are available in machine
readable form for many years and if it's accurate enough for the phone
company to bill on, it ought to be legal evidence (else the phone
company would be guilty of fraud -- charging for calls not placed).

With the high density of CD-ROM, wouldn't it make sense to
archive the records on CDs instead of microfilm to save on

  - space;
  - keep it machine readable;
  - faster, easier searching;
  - longer life, fewer ways to deteriorate.

When it comes to self interest, phone companies are on the ball.  So
ideally, getting detailed records should be easier.  Oh, the FBI/CIA
would love that -- getting all of a person's phone calls sorted every
which way all by computer.


Jeffrey Jonas   [e-mail]



[Moderator's Note: The FBI *does* get records sorted the way you
suggest whenever they ask. A clerk in the law department at IBT
accepts service daily (or more often as needed) from the United States
Marshall calling for telephone records subpoened by federal grand
juries and the like as part of FBI investigations in progress.  PAT]

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

From: MPA15AB![e-mail]
Date: 23 FEB 93 19:34
Subject: PacBell in Orange County


I'm moving from a GTE area to a PacBell (both in south Orange County).
I was looking forward to being served by a 1A, so I could get
call-waiting on a three-way call, and better quality three-way
calling, but PacBell informs me that they are not assigning any new
numbers on 1As.  They say all 1As will be replaced by 5ESSes by 1994.

I was also told that CLASS features, including Call Trace, Call
Return, Call Redial, Priority Ringing, and Call Blocking, will be
offered starting Monday (March 1).  I was told that *all* switches in
the area were using SS7 (the 1As were the first).

The rep I spoke with understood about the 1As (she is served by one)
but said there was no way I could get on one.  She said it was bacause
the 1As needed copper to the curb, and they are phasing out all copper
lines.  Everyone gets fiber to the curb.

Note that in order for two numbers to be billed together, they must be
on the same switch!  If they are, the calls are not broken down by
calling number, unless you pay an extra $3.75/month, or so I was told.
(I have two numbers from GTE, billed together, and each toll call
shows the calling number).  I think I'll get the two PacBell numbers
on different switches.


Randy Gellens         [e-mail]
A Series System Software          if mail bounces,  forward to
Unisys Mission Viejo, CA                  [e-mail]
Opinions are personal;  facts are suspect;  I speak only for myself

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

Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1993 13:39:44 -0500 (EST)
From: Paul Robinson <[e-mail]>
Subject: Long Distance: The Next Best Thing to Praying There


 From the {Washington City Paper} of Feb 19-25, page 18:
News of the Wierd by Chuck Shepard:

"In January, Israel's national telephone company initiated a fax
service that transmits messages to God via the Wailing Wall in
Jerusalem.  In May, the Roman Catholic Chuch will unveil a high-tech
confessional at a trade show in Vincenza, Italy, that will accept
confessions by fax.  And in December, a sect of Orthodox Jews in
Brooklyn, NY began selling its members special beepers so they will
know instantly when the Mesiah arrives on earth."

And there is precedent for a response, I guess:

"Your Majesty, I have a message from God for you."
  - Judges 3:20

Paul Robinson -- [e-mail]

"They can't stop us.  We're on a mission from God"
  - The Blues Brothers


[Moderator's Note: When Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian
Science passed away (they prefer not to say 'died') in the early years
of this century, a telephone (live and operating) was buried with her
in her casket so that when she awoke from her sleep she'd be able to
contact her followers, many of whom suspected she would only be
resting for a short time before rejoining them. The line remained
connected for several years, but no mention is made of her choice of
default long distance carrier or if she had local measured service or
not.  Truth is stranger than fiction sometimes.   PAT]

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #128
******************************